CQU Press will launch five books at this year’s CQ Multicultural Fair and CQU Rockhampton Open Day, at 11.30am on the main stage.

Among the titles are John McCulloch’s 'The Suffragists' (2 volumes); Marie Mahood’s 'The Last Dry Creek'; High Court Judge Ian Callinan’s 'After the Monsoon'; Noni Durack’s 'Beyond the Legend'; and Tony Matthews’ 'Murder and Misadventure'.

'The Suffragists' and 'The Legislators', a two-volume set, is designed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the granting of women’s suffrage in Queensland. It is lively and accessible, and at the same time it provides an excellent, comprehensive account of how the suffragists won the vote for women, and of the women members of parliament who took that struggle further with their contribution in the parliament as the people’s elected representatives.

In a new-look Northern Territory, where the economy is now boosted by mining, tourism and government enterprises, three young people fight the good fight for a fair go for all. The 'Last Dry Creek' is an authentic Territory yarn with adventure, romance and intrigue and Marie Mahood uses her own vast experiences in the years of battling the outback to provide authentic comment on this unique society.

'After the Monsoon' is a saga of adventure, travel and entrepreneurial business spanning the two world wars. It is the jewel in the crown of the versatile Ian Callinan’s now very considerable collection of diverse novels.

'Beyond The Legend' by Noni Durack is a tragic saga of the Kimberley. It is a thought-provoking epitaph, half a hundred years on, to 'Kings in Grass Castles'. The latter book is a moving record of a vital turning point in pioneering history of the Kimberly region, where the human passions are as savage as the wilderness of the Kimberley.

'Murder and Misadventure' is a sequel to Tony Matthews’ first book, 'Mayhem and Murder'. It is a startling, deadly and unholy collection of stories from Australia's less salubrious history.

The Books will be on sale at the CQU Press tent, along with clearance titles priced from $10. CQU Press publisher, Professor David Myers, alias Old Silvertail, will be spruiking away in the tent offering irresistible specials to all comers.

Veteran outback author Marie Mahood will also be on-hand. CQU Press built its publishing list on the strong shoulders of this remarkable lady. She sold over 20,000 copies of 'Icing on the Damper' and then sold the rights for an abridged version with Readers’ Digest, which went on to sell another 80,000 copies.