When the pandemic hit Australia, and Victoria in particular, a then-unknown blog called The Shot emerged through the haze as a voice of reason, comfort, hope and swear words.

As one lockdown blurred into the next and curfewed Melburnians sought community, connection and a counter-narrative to the warped reality presented in the Murdoch press, The Shot became one of the most influential independent voices in the Australian media landscape.

This anthology collects the best essays published over three difficult years, from politics to the pandemic, corruption, media ethics and bias, and sexual justice. Each piece is accompanied by a new introduction from authors David Milner, Grace Tame, Charles Firth, Ronni Salt, Nadine von Cohen and Greg Larsen.