Liezl Shnookal
Australian Author of Contemporary Fiction
At Bush Telegraph XPress, Liezl Shnookal shares her life's work: contemporary fiction that is thought-provoking, emotionally honest, and grounded in lived experience. Often inspired by true stories and current events, her writing spans intimate coming-of-age journeys and vivid, place-driven tales that invite readers to see the world — and themselves — a little differently.
Discover Powerful Coming-of-Age Novels by Liezl Shnookal
Off Track: An Award-Winning Story of Love, Rebellion, and Losing Your Way in 1970s Australia
Off Track takes you to a sun-soaked beach in 1970s Australia, where carefree summer holidays of laughter and friendship unravel into a turbulent and unpredictable journey. Follow Lucy as she navigates the complexities of life, love, and heartbreak in this poignant and unconventional coming-of-age novel. A story that traces an uncertain path through an equally uncertain time.
Praise for Off Track
"This story really moved me – sometimes to laughter, sometimes to tears. This is one of my very favourite books ... ever!" – Julie Gillespie, Seaford
"An Australian version of Catcher in the Rye. Everybody should read this book." – Ros Addison, St Andrews
Available as a paperback and ebook.
Nikki vs Jess: An Award-Winning Story of Two Women Who Refuse to Fit the Mould
In 1980s Australia, two young women fight to break free from the gender roles that define and confine them. Nikki vs Jess is a feminist coming-of-age novel about carving your own path, defying expectations, and the personal cost of challenging the status quo. A compelling story of friendship, courage, and the search for identity in a world that demands conformity.
Praise for Nikki vs Jess
“This book challenges the binary views of the world: what it is to be a girl, or in a 'happy normal family' or most importantly, a friend. Fantastic.” – Vanessa Hutchinson, Greensborough
"Gripping – would Nikki finally beat Jess at pool, or was she doomed to be a loser forever? I especially loved this book's ending!” – John Simpson, Brunswick
Available as a paperback and ebook.
Explore Free Contemporary Short Fiction and True Stories by Liezl Shnookal
Fiddling While Rome Burns: A Brutal Short Story about the Climate Crisis and Political Inaction
From rising sea levels in the Pacific Islands to a grieving widow after an Australian bushfire, Fiddling While Rome Burns draws on real-world events to tell a fictional account of the human toll of climate change. These individual vignettes reflect the growing emergency, set against a backdrop of political and corporate indifference. A powerful and unflinching condemnation of political inaction in the face of global catastrophe.
Sitting Beside Bushfire Survivors: A Personal Story of Black Saturday's Aftermath
In the wake of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, Liezl Shnookal sits with survivors from St Andrews, listening as they speak through grief, shock, and the raw edges of all they've endured. This deeply personal story captures what remains after fire tears through homes, lives, and landscapes — a quiet reckoning with destruction, gratitude, and the strength found in community.
Step Inside the Photojournals of Liezl Shnookal, Where Every Image Tells a Story
Into Wilder Worlds
Journey with Liezl Shnookal through the Amazon Rainforest in Peru, the Galapagos Islands, and Nepal — where striking wildlife encounters inspire awe for the natural world and unforgettable human faces spark lasting connection. Experience visual storytelling that lingers long after the images fade.
Fight for Australia's Iconic Great Barrier Reef
Visit the Whitsundays with Liezl Shnookal and soar over the World Heritage–listed Great Barrier Reef through her stunning aerial images. Discover how Adani’s coal mine and port expansion threaten one of Earth’s most precious and fragile ecosystems — and find out how you can help protect it.
Wander Through Liezl Shnookal’s Blog About Writing, Life, and the Stories in Between
Stories From the Everyday
Small moments. Big thoughts. Personal reflections and ordinary adventures, all told with warmth, insight, and a touch of storytelling magic. These are the quieter stories — thoughtful, sometimes funny, always real.
A Writer’s Path
Step into the world behind the words — from creative sparks and writing challenges to the joys (and detours) of bringing a story to life. A candid look at the writer’s journey, told with honesty, humour, and heart.
Contact Liezl Shnookal
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