Humour has been part of storytelling for as long as people have been telling stories. Ancient writers used comedy to puncture pomposity, while medieval satirists sharpened their pens on the powerful. In English literature, Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels (1726) proved that a ridiculous adventure could carry biting political commentary, and Charles Dickens later filled his novels with… Continue reading The evolution of funny, satirical books
Tag: fiction
The evolution of book covers
Book covers have come a long way from their humble beginnings. In the earliest days of printing, books were precious objects, often bound in plain leather or cloth. Their value lay in the words inside, and covers were designed to protect rather than attract. Titles, if they appeared at all, were handwritten or stamped in… Continue reading The evolution of book covers
Cloning: From Dolly the Sheep to the Tasmanian Tiger
Back in 1996, the world met Dolly the Sheep, the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell. Born in Scotland, Dolly was a breakthrough that shifted cloning from science fiction into science fact. She wasn’t just a genetic curiosity—her birth proved it was possible to “copy” complex animals, sparking heated debates about ethics, medicine,… Continue reading Cloning: From Dolly the Sheep to the Tasmanian Tiger
Tasmanian Authors: From the First Voices to Today
Tasmania’s literary history is a rich tapestry, woven from the island’s rugged landscapes, isolated communities and unique cultural heritage. The very first Tasmanian authors were often chroniclers and diarists, recording life in a new and often harsh colony. Figures like Henry Savery, widely considered Tasmania’s first novelist, captured the convict experience in Quintus Servinton (1830), giving readers a… Continue reading Tasmanian Authors: From the First Voices to Today
What is a cryptid?
If you’ve ever read a mystery or adventure story that includes a strange, elusive creature, chances are you’ve encountered a cryptid. But what exactly is a cryptid — and why do writers love to include them in their stories? A cryptid is an animal or creature whose existence is suggested by sightings, folklore, or anecdotal evidence, but… Continue reading What is a cryptid?
JOHN MARTIN 