Clouds of Magellan Press

‘An Australian classic’ – Dr Bob Brown.

Clouds of Magellan is pleased to announce republication of Dennis Altman’s 1993 classic The Comfort of Men. Originally published by William Heinemann we are now reissuing the work with a stylish cover by Sydney artist John Douglas.

The Comfort of Men is about thirty years of love and sexual discovery, politics and betrayal, self-realisation and loneliness. Steven must come to terms with his homosexuality, Hester will experiment with radical celibacy, and Gerald is embroiled with the anti-Vietnam War movement.

‘An Australian classic. Dennis Altman’s seismic novel gives a vivid insight into a hidden world erupting to change Australia forever … Altman takes us into the heart of Australia’s gay revolution with compassion, wit, and sheer authenticity.’ – Dr Bob Brown

Due to the Alliance/Hachette situation running across our release plan, we are looking to have the book in bookstores September/October, with launch events in November. In the meanwhile, you can find the book online, or at Hares & Hyenas.

On Friday 14 August, Clouds of Magellan author and playwright Errol Bray passed away. Errol was the author of The Eleventh Joke, The Quarters, and Berzoo, all originally published by Clouds of Magellan Press.

Errol was co-founder with Garry Fry, fifty years ago, of Shopfront Youth Theatre (now Shopfront Arts Co-Op), and writer and producer of numerous plays and theatrical events. His plays include The Choir – produced nationally and internationally – and Nijinsky at Twilight.

Tribute at Shopfront

Berzoo – Kindle

The Quarters – Amazon

Clouds of Magellan will be publishing an edition of Errol’s plays in the near future.

We have a new page on the website – Self-Publishing and Small Press Resources – which includes a downloadable pdf of Small Press, Big Dreams (an introduction to self-publishing). I use this in workshops, but it is available here for anyone who wants to get an overview, plus some specifics, on DIY self-publishing, or the creation of a small press.

The Eleventh Joke by Errol Bray (FICTION, 2026) is now available. We published Errol’s novel Berzoo in 2011 and are now proud to announce a new novel featuring an immortal trickster from another world and a story about the secret history of genius … MORE

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Kill Will: Night Bird in Sunlight by Clouds of Magellan Publisher Gordon Thompson has been released 2026 from the lovely folk at Clan Destine Press. It is a fantasy thriller in which young Will Shakespeare falls through a portal into present day England. We had a launch event this week (25 March) at Readings Bookshop in Carlton. You can buy copies at Readings, from Clan Destine Press, or wherever you get your books. Yannick Thoraval generously launched the book.

More on Kill Will below …

Kill Will: Night Bird in Sunlight (Clan Destine Press, 2026)

‘If you love time travel, Shakespeare and brilliant fictional women, this book is absolute catnip…A fresh and lively tribute to the Bard but never too reverent. It’s clever, funny, intricate and gripping.’
~ Narrelle M Harris, author of The She-Wolf of Baker Street

‘An ingenious tale of time travel, a wild ride of witty and disruptive culture clash.’
~ Amanda Lohrey, author of The Labyrinth

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Buy from Clan Destine Press