All the short stories are works of fiction, written for a reason – perhaps to provoke thought or just to raise a smile!

The Challenge of Morality (1650 words, 4 pages) (F) Another story from journalist, Sue Donym. (See below A – E). Sue is again listening to the words of a public intellectual teasing out the challenges for morality in the modern world. First published in 2025.

How can it be (1279 words, 3 pages) How can it be? The world is upside down. The liars and bullies are running the show. When aggressive invaders claim that their victims are at fault, how can that be? And what is the solution? First published in 2025.

A, B, C, D and E (below) are the first five short stories in the Sue Donym series.

Worth, Morality and Justice (1,290 words, 3 pages) (A) A fledgling journalist tries to condense a town hall Q & A with public intellectuals into a <900 word synopsis on Worth, Morality and Justice. First published in 2025.

Satisfactory Justice What does it mean? (1281 words, 3 pages) (B) Journalist, Sue Donym, gives a summary of a town hall discussion explaining the complexities of providing satisfactory justice. First published in 2025.

The Carnival Barker (1279 words, 3 pages) (C) Sue Donym listens to public intellectuals asking ‘Why are we so easily taken in by charisma?’ First published in 2025.

The Flip-Flop (1177 words, 3 pages) (D) Journalist Sue Donym reports on the tension between media probing and public officials changing their stated positions. First published in 2025.

‘Dealing’ with Bullies (1124 words, 3 pages) (E) The town hall meeting with the public intellectuals tackles bullying in its various forms … with viable solutions. First published in 2025.

Red (998 words. 2.5 pages) The bond between working dog and man continues even in the changed world of retirement. First published in 2025.

Always someone else to blame! (2,360 words. 6 pages) A man struggles with his belief that he is right as he is challenged by the certainty of doubt and the process of critical thinking. First published in 2025.

White Hats vs Black Hats – a moral dilemma (2,370 words. 6 pages) A journalist listens to an old man about how to address the complexity of human behaviour in a divisive world. First published in 2025.

On the outer(2) (2,487 words) In 1980, a young Scottish maths teacher compares his family history with an Aboriginal Elder’s experiences. What similarities and differences would they find? First published in 2024.

Anything worth having needs constant work  (2892 words) When the past catches up and torments the present, how to solve the future. First published in 2024.

Rawdy (993 words) Theme – Detour. A teenage girl negotiating her village in Ukraine. First published in 2023

It happened one morning (1985 words) What if a famous historical event followed a different path? A line in the sand washed into the sands of time. First published in 2023.

Fitting in (2980 words) A surfing mathematician sees solutions for the auto-pilot social norms. First published in 2023.

Acceptance (2,900 words) Seen through the eyes of a 12-year-old Scottish boy, in the 1950s, is the difficulty of expectation and acceptance in the adult world. First published in 2023.

Jack of many trades (2,850 words) In the 1960s, some shallow media choose to prey on the innocent as technology blossoms into a new age. First published in 2023.

Conned (2,979 words) A psychiatrist helps a combat veteran untangle some issues. First published in 2023.

Peer Review (2,989 words) Can cheekiness change the social status quo with logic? First published in 2023.

Feel the Heat (2,492 words) – A State Security suspect addresses a mining community. First published in slightly longer form in ‘analogue’, August, 2022.

Read short stories by Jim; written under the pseudonym Tom Andrews

  • Humble (2,765 words) – Some humour at a cocktail party. First published in Idiom 23 Vol 26 March 2017
  • Losing it (1,480 words) – A challenge with dementia. First published in Idiom 23 Vol 26 March 2017
  • Bush Wisdom (2,500 words) – A love for the Queensland bush. First published in Idiom 23 Vol 25 March 2016
  • Lineage (1000 words) – A young man meets his past. First published in Idiom 23 Vol 24 2014       
  • The Child and the Bondi Islets (2,500 words) – The humour of family misunderstanding. First published in Idiom 23 Vol 24. 2014      

Idiom 23 is available through the bookshop of Central Queensland University.

I recommend Idiom 23 to you as a literary magazine which looks after young and emerging writers.