In this issue

Issue 91 of Tasmania 40°South is big on books. Clarissa Horwood’s About Books column offers, as usual, sage words about written words. Our New Books section, in which we show you what the book publishing side of the Forty South business has been up to, takes up four pages, reflecting a prolonged growth spurt. It’s a busy business, and growing.

Perhaps most exciting, however, is one book from Forty South due to be released early this month, December 2018. It is “Tasmanian Towns: A Journey through Time”.

I’ve never used this space to advertise Forty South books – I’d lose readers quickly if I did – but I am so excited about this one that I can’t resist sharing it with you.

Small towns can be special, and especially in Tasmania. Think of Strahan, Queenstown, Stanley, Richmond, Evandale … you see what I mean. The idea for a book on some of these towns (we chose 12 in the end) was born almost two years ago, but with the idea came the realisation that we needed a special writer to tell the stories of these towns, and a special photographer to show you what sometimes not even words can describe.

The first people we approached, Bert Spinks and Pen Tayler, said yes, at which we did a little dance and popped a large cork. Almost two years later, Bert and Pen, along with a third virtuoso artist, graphic designer Kent Whitmore, have delivered a finished product which will add enormously to the Tasmanian narrative.

One of Pen Tayler’s images from the book graces the front cover of this issue. I will leave you with some words by Bert Spinks, from the Introduction to the book: “I believe that our towns will be all the more interesting for the deep-map perspective we will try to offer, especially because – as I keep insisting – Tasmania is truly one of the most interesting places on Earth.”

Forty South Tasmania Magazine Description:

Tasmania has been described as the world's best-kept secret, but it's not our fault - we have been telling the world about Tasmania for over 20 years. Forty South Tasmania has been described as a lifestyle magazine with brains. It offers three things: interesting features about Australia's island state, good writing and stunning photography. The magazine is a household name in Tasmania, but also has many subscribers elsewhere - people who have visited this beautiful place and now read the magazine for a regular reminder of an extraordinary experience. Forty South Tasmania offers feature stories, and stunning photography, about Tasmanian places and people, tourism, history and lifestyle, and regular columns on Tasmanian food, wine, arts and culture.