Today’s story is titled Thylacine which, as you may know, is the name of what we commonly know as the Tasmanian Tiger – a large carnivorous marsupial now thought to be extinct.

Or is it?

Every so often, blurry photos and videos make their way into the media that purports to be imagery of the striped, dingo like creature. None have been verified and it’s thought that the last Thylacine died in captivity in 1936. Regardless, there are those who ardently believe there are still Tassie Tigers out there and they are determined to find them.

People who believe passionately in what they cannot see are always fascinating to me - there is a fine line between a harmless interest and an all-consuming obsession and this story examines the familial ructions of one such obsession.

I hope you enjoy the story.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cassiehamerauthor.substack.com

The story for this episode is ‘The Thirtieth Anniversary’ - a tale of a woman who discovers her husband’s infidelity in the week before they are to celebrate their three decades of wedded bliss. A bliss that is proven to be a sham.

The story also draws much inspiration from jazz music – an interest that initially binds the couple together but then ultimately breaks them apart.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cassiehamerauthor.substack.com

A stonemason becomes protective of his latest creation - a labyrinth in one of Sydney’s most popular parks - but experiences enlightenment of a different kind when the sandstone monument is defaced by vandals.

Inspired by the construction of the Centennial Park Labyrinth in Sydney’s East, Cassie narrates the story and discusses real-life inspiration behind it.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cassiehamerauthor.substack.com

Today’s story - ‘Sculptures by the Sea’ is inspired by a yearly art exhibition in Sydney’s eastern beaches where, for nearly three weeks in late October, an incredible cliffside walking track becomes the backdrop to a major sculpture exhibition, showcasing works from all over the world. This story, however, is less about the sculptures themselves and more about love in a long marriage and the grief that comes when illness causes that lengthy partnership to change shape.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cassiehamerauthor.substack.com

A short story about a young Italian woman migrating to Tasmania, Australia in the 1950s to meet her husband for the very first time. She carries little but her hopes and a few precious possessions in her trousseau. But what does she make of this strange new land and the man she is now expected to love? Episode includes a brief explanation of the real life inspiration behind the story.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cassiehamerauthor.substack.com

Cassie Hamer presents an ‘odd-couple’ tale of dare-devilry in the midst of a rare meteorological phenomenon in northern Australia and a Greek myth that brings about an unlikely friendship between two people, trying to escape their grief. Episode includes an explanation of the inspirations behind the story.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cassiehamerauthor.substack.com

An introduction to Literary Bites - a podcast of short fiction, written and narrated by Australian author, Cassie Hamer

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cassiehamerauthor.substack.com