Paul Wenz was born in France in 1869, lived in Australia, and wrote stories dealing mainly with his Australian experiences for the French. He wrote ten books from 'Nanima', his homestead in Forbes, New South Wales, including two collections of short stories and four Australian novels. He also translated Jack London and Joseph Conrad, both who came to visit him in Australia.

Diary of a New Chum and Other Lost Stories contains many stories never before published in English, and includes correspondence with authors such as Andre Gide, Miles Franklin and Christopher Brennan. Always the very essence of the Australia of Wenz's period, Diary of a New Chum and Other Lost Stories sparkles with irony and psychological insight and represents Paul Wenz at his powerful best.