Two PhD students from the University of Newcastle have written their way into the Best Australian Stories 2007 publication. Karen Hitchcock's and Patrick Cullen's stories were chosen by editor Robert Drewe, one of Australia's most acclaimed authors, to appear in the latest series.

Karen is a medical registrar at the John Hunter Hospital and a lecturer in medicine at the University. This is the second consecutive year she has been featured in the Best Australian Stories publication. Her work, Some Kind of Fruit, tells the story of two students struggling their way through medical school.

Patrick is a sensory researcher in the local food industry and is featured in the publication for the third consecutive year. His work, The Easy Way Out, examines the complexities of marriage and family. It tells the story of a husband's infidelity through the eyes of the unfaithful husband's neighbours.

Best Australian Stories 2007 will be launched in Newcastle by celebrated Australian author Helen Garner. One of Garner's most well-known works is Joe Cinque's Consolation, which details the events related to the murder in 1997 of former Newcastle man Joe Cinque.

The launch will be held at 6pm at the John Miller Galleries, 37 Darby Street, Newcastle this Thursday 22 November 2007.

For interviews with Karen and Patrick, contact Media and Public Relations.