Upon the Rock

the long version

'Upon the Rock' is a blend of narrative voices and styles that tells the story of Marcus Baird, a gay man from Townsville, and Aemilius, a character from a novel set in Ancient Rome written by Aaron J Clarke. Marcus Baird hopes to win the author’s affections. His quest for love leads him to England where he is imprisoned in the writer’s house. During his captivity, he is forced to confess his darkest secrets with the hope of gaining absolution and, most importantly, Aaron’s love. Likewise, Aemilius hopes to win the affections of Culcita, a dangerous youth who threatens the Roman Republic. Aemilius’ quest for love results in him writing his life story and that of Rome’s, where deception leads to murder.