On the face of it, Joshua Lobb has written a novel about birds.
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It's also a book about climate change, and wasn't initially intended as a novel - but it's published and ready for public consumption.
The University of Wollongong senior lecturer had written two short stories - each with a bird referenced in them one way or another - when he realised the characters also had stark similarities.
"When I discovered they were connected everything fell into place," he said.
The Flight of Birds is a novel in 12 stories, each compelled by an encounter between the human and animal worlds.
Underpinning these interactions is an awareness of climate change, of the violence humans do to living things and of the possibility of transformation.
"[Birds] have extraordinarily complex social lives and they're so fascinating," Lobb said.
"I want people to read it because I want people to realise their daily lives are part of something larger and I want people to read it to be hopeful."
Stories are really, really important for us to engage with the world, to understand the world, to change the world.
- Joshua Lobb
Through the relationships between humans and bird the book also has a message about the world's future.
"Stories are really, really important for us to engage with the world, to understand the world, to change the world," Lobb said.
"When we talk about climate change it's always really big, how are we going to solve these huge problems … but really it's the kind of small things that we do that are important and make a difference and actually impact the planet."
Despite lecturing in Creative Writing and having several short stories and research articles published previously, it's still a difficult process to get a work published.
"I've had lots of stories and lots of novels rejected … but I do it because I want to tell a story," he said.
Self-publishing is becoming more popular among budding authors which Mr Lobb believes has a place.
"The online space has got a real opportunity for people to talk about whats gong on in the world - [but] I think it's really important to take the time to think about what we're going to say," he said.
"We're going to be move into a future where thoughtful conversations can take place in lots of different forms."
UOW lecturer Dr Joshua Lobb will launch his new book The Flight of Birds at Collins Booksellers in Thirroul on March 29
The Flight of Birds, RRP$35, Sydney University Press.