WHO knew that Parliament House was such a hotbed of literary talent? The beaten generation. The unique genre which it has carved - the political loser's memoir - has set Canberran bookshelves ablaze in a way unseen since The Model Train Collector's Anthology was released to the wild toots of replica steam whistles earlier this year.

Though Kernot, Latham, Beazley and other beautiful losers paved the way, Costello is the rock star of this chic bohemian counterculture movement. Unlike the others, he hasn't been pushed to the outer because of his unpopularity or smeared by scandal. He has just given up - refuses to even try to be a leader, yet hangs around in public office. That's a capital "L" loser in my book.

And there we all thought the notes being taken by our leaders in parliamentary question time related to matters of national importance. Perish the thought. They are feverishly working on book drafts, which is probably why Brendan Nelson was scribbling at double pace recently. One can only guess the working title for his memoirs. Dr Did-Little?

I've got issues with how politicians profiteer from public office in this way. The writer's grant they receive for life (otherwise known as super) is incredibly generous. Isn't this enough? Besides, whatever happened to the ethos of serving the people, which presumably acted as an inspiration for their careers? Book royalties only serve the authors.

Due to recent events at state level, an avalanche of political loser titles will soon hit the shelves. Morris will be up there with Mailer. Former police minister Matt Brown is another likely candidate, ejected from office after a party that made Big Brother look tame. But maybe all Brown really wants is redemption. This much was obvious to me after seeing the Sunday papers which had some pictures of him down on the beach gazing out to sea, an uncertain future on the horizon.

Over the years, the gazing out to sea photo shoot has been used by virtually every disgraced sports star or minor celebrity. The thinking is that it's so soulfully Australian but, dare I say it, this option has become a little cliched. I guess my message to the up-and-coming disgraces seeking redemption is to bottle up that angst like your political counterparts and write a book.