Published in Overland Issue False Documents Uncategorized False Documents: an introduction Dave Drayton Dear Paul, Paul, Sonia, and Tony, I would like to congratulate you on your publication in Overland’s special fiction edition, ‘False Documents’. Your documents were chosen after a blind-reading of more than 300 entries, narrowed down to a not-so-shortlist of 30-odd works, before the final selection There were meta-critical and existential post-it notes; numerous Wikipedia entries so studiously facsimiled that I’d find myself searching the website, certain they had been copy and pasted; more meticulously and inventively documented crimes than Dick Wolf could ever hope to produce; intra- and inter-office email threads that were unstitched; love letters; threats; liner notes for non-existent albums; and so much more I could not have imagined when putting the callout for false documents. The best (and there were some great submissions that could not be included) were those in which the narrative potential of the story was inextricably linked to the shape and form it took. Thank you again for the opportunity to read your work, and to share it as part of this series of false documents. Firm regards, Dave Read the False Documents edition If you enjoyed this special edition, subscribe and receive a year’s worth of print issues, the online magazine, special editions and discounted entry to our literary competitions Dave Drayton Dave Drayton is a poet, writer and Overland poetry reader He is a founding member of the Atterton Academy, Kanganoulipian, and the author of E, UIO, A: a feghoot (Container), P(oe)Ms (Rabbit), A Pet Per Ably-Faced Kid (Stale Objects dePress) and Haiturograms(Stale Objects dePress). Find him on Overland and Twitter. More by Dave Drayton Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of supporting writers, and publishing ideas and voices often excluded from other places. If you like this piece, or support Overland’s work in general, please subscribe or donate. Related articles & Essays First published in Overland Issue 228 27 January 2023 Cartoons In attacking us, they bring us together Sam Wallman 'What these bosses don't understand is that in attacking us, they bring us together.' (Paddy Crumlin, Maritime Union of Australia, Svitzer Rally November 2022) 2 First published in Overland Issue 228 24 January 202325 January 2023 Politics The end of the politics of care Giovanni Tiso The daily spectacle of televised briefings was not unique to New Zealand, and it may simply be the case that Ardern thrived when given the opportunity to speak to the public directly—in other words, that she was better than others at it. Alternatively, we could say that her rhetoric found in the pandemic the ground on which to turn into concrete action. Either way, the benefits we derived in terms of lives saved from the remarkable extension of that social license are literally incalculable.
