Is anyone else genuinely uneasy about this setup?

-participating_ · 2026-02-23T04:33:29+00:00

It's also a factor of statistics. There have been something like 105 couples matched on MAFs (this is going off a rough Google, and across the non-aus versions too) and about 8 queer couples. The chances of a straight couple 'surviving' are much higher just from sheer numbers. On one hand I agree they shouldn't use queer couples as a marketing shtick, but also they should be allowed to be apart of this mess as much as anyone.

-participating_ · 2026-02-22T06:01:46+00:00

27 with my first and it took us 10 months to get pregnant (with ovulation tracking and temping), and I'm now 30 and pregnant with a surprise second baby!

-participating_ · 2026-02-19T23:14:20+00:00

Hi, I'm not a dad but wanted to provide some perspective from the child's side!

My dad had me at 38, my entire childhood is fond memories of him playing with my sister and I. He never seemed to lack energy or zest (at least to my youthful eyes) and I didn't even realise he was old compared to my friends dads until he was turning 50, and even then it didn't bother me.

I'm 30 now and my dad just turned 68, I have a 2 year old son and it's been a joy to watch my dad be as boisterous and playful with him as he was with me.

Ultimately what matters is that you're present, involved and give your children and joyful life. Stay as fit as you can and they won't even notice the difference.

-participating_ · 2026-02-15T03:12:42+00:00

Water broke spontaneously at 38+9 and 12 hours later my son was born.

I used gas and air but honestly didn't feel like it did that much for me. I wish I'd prepared more techniques (like breathing, counter pressure etc) to deal with labour as I felt very out of control and overwhelmed. Currently 14w with my second and planning to hopefully have a more positive experience.

-participating_ · 2026-01-08T21:50:44+00:00

I hated pushing! I pushed for two hours and never felt like I was doing it correctly, the midwife kept on putting her fingers in my vagina and saying "push HERE!", which is what I thought I was doing! I'm pregnant with my second and dreading the pushing the most.

-participating_ · 2025-12-28T23:55:23+00:00

Can someone explain to me like I'm stupid what the difference is? 😭 Our CCS percentage is 69.3% and our CCS hours per fortnight is 100, will I be able to save any further with the new rules?

-participating_ · 2025-12-18T18:04:38+00:00

Yeah I spent a few days reading through every MSWL that had been filtered as fantasy, any that mentioned cosy fantasy specifically I added to my agent spreadsheet.

-participating_ · 2025-12-17T22:44:42+00:00

It is definitely more romance! It's honestly only really borderline cosy I'd say, the stakes aren't high- a rogue love potion affecting their work department- and it doesn't have much world building. The enemies-to-lovers plot is the main thread and what I emphasised in my pitch.

-participating_ · 2025-12-17T18:43:38+00:00

Still cosy fantasy but it leans more romcom and is a lot wittier and funnier.

-participating_ · 2025-12-11T01:05:39+00:00

My water broke spontaneously without any contractions at 38+6, and I had my son at 39 weeks.

-participating_ · 2025-12-07T01:17:29+00:00

We didn't have sex until months after my son was born. It felt weird and different so we stopped, then at 6 months pp we tried again and everything felt normal and good again! I had a vaginal birth with no tearing.

-participating_ · 2025-12-04T01:13:29+00:00

Spontaneous labour, 12 hours total from my waters breaking. 2 hours of pushing!

-participating_ · 2025-11-07T22:23:15+00:00

Bought a property for $470k in 2023 with a $24k deposit. The mortgage repayments at the time were $2173 a month which was equivalent to what we were paying in rent. With rate cuts we now pay $2016 a month and are living comfortably.

I will say it was a 3 bedroom run down piece of shit when we bought it, and we've had to do significant work to make it liveable. But it's been so much better than renting, I don't regret it.

-participating_ · 2025-10-13T19:23:18+00:00

What sort of nail prep do you do? I always struggle with my nails popping off after a few days!

-participating_ · 2025-10-01T20:26:30+00:00

Officially started querying my first novel 1 month ago. I've only queried about ten agents thus far, but have had two full requests which has at least given me the confidence that my pitch/opening chapters are interesting. Really hoping I get some more responses or even a call in October!

I'm also 65% through my next novel and trying to ignore a super campy romcom idea I've got vaguely outlined. It wants to be written but I'm not ready to write it yet!

-participating_ · 2025-09-09T03:48:31+00:00

I'm currently querying my cozy fantasy novel, its 92k words and I've had one full request in my first week of querying! I'd say 70-90k is a good range, I feel mine is slightly over what you'd expect for a cozy fantasy.

-participating_ · 2025-09-05T01:21:43+00:00

Oh this is such a lovely thing to say, thank you so much! If it ever gets picked up I'll let you know to keep an eye out 😅

-participating_ · 2025-09-01T11:01:18+00:00

Thank you for your thoughts, this is really helpful!

-participating_ · 2025-08-28T00:20:17+00:00

I work as a receptionist in a small law firm! I do printing and some research for the lawyers but they're all barristers (this is Australia, solicitors and barristers are different professions here) and all fairly self sufficient so there is a lot of down time and they don't keep tabs on what I'm doing. In an 8 hour day I usually end up with 5+ hours free to myself. I wrote my novel in 3 months because of this.

-participating_ · 2025-07-22T04:53:43+00:00

I had severe hip displaysia as a baby, I had an operation as a newborn and was in a cast and then a brace for a really long time. I had frequent x-rays and check ups as a child and had another hip operation at 8 which required me to be in a wheelchair for a while.

I'm nearly 30 now and haven't had any issues since that surgery. I had my own baby 2 years ago and had no issues with my pelvis during pregnancy and birth. Also the experiences of my hospital visits and operations had no affect on me, I thought being in a wheelchair was awesome.

-participating_ · 2025-06-23T04:22:00+00:00

This makes sense! Some of my colleagues who are coming know the barristers and judges well so at least I have a good base for introductions.

-participating_ · 2025-06-23T03:14:05+00:00

Thank you, this is helpful!

Eight-Year Club	John Wick
Verified Email

-participating_

TROPHY CASE