This new anthology commemorates monthly readings conducted at The Water Rat Hotel, South Melbourne, from March 2000 to December 2002, each of which presented a guest writer from overseas or interstate together with a featured local writer and an open section. The rich variety of the exchanges is immediately evident in this collection, which is notable not only for its diversity but also for the general assurance and interest of the selections. In all, there are 123 pieces of writing, from ninety-three writers.