‘Griefdogg’ author Michael Winkler shared his journey to publication, expressing his lifelong desire to write novels despite initial failures.
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Novelists Michael Winkler and Wayne Marshall will be hosting library talks in Echuca and Barham about their books, Griefdogg and Henry Goes Bush, at the end of July.
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Greifdogg author Michael Winkler is no stranger to the region.
“I was born over in Mildura and lived in Merbein, then moved up the Murray to Cobram, and did most of my growing up further up the Murray in Tallangatta,” Mr Winkler said.
The author described the long road to getting a book published.
“I have been writing different things for pretty much all my life, and it's how I've made my living,” he said.
“But what I always wanted to do was write novels, and so I had decades of trying to write novels and failing miserably.”
Griefdogg centres on a Mildura water scientist who chooses to live within his family but without rights or responsibilities.
“He decides that he no longer wants to be part of the community; he wants to live in his family, but with no rights or responsibilities, as if he were the family pet,” Mr Winkler said.
“He develops this ability to detect grief in other people, but grief that other people aren't talking about, like secret grief, and has that as a new burden.”
Wayne Marshall is the author of Henry Goes Bush, a debut novel blending speculative fiction with Henry Lawson's historic outback visit.
Henry Goes Bush is grounded in the true story of Henry Lawson being sent to the bush at age 25 by The Bulletin magazine, under editor JF Archibald, with a £5 allowance and a one-way railway ticket.
The novel follows the historical record until Lawson encounters a mysterious underground tunnel and finds himself inside one of his own stories.
“It's dangerous, but if he wants to have a second chance, he wants to find a way to the best version of himself; he kind of has to take the quest,” Mr Marshall said.
Wayne Marshall's debut novel, 'Henry Goes Bush', combines speculative fiction with Henry Lawson's outback visit, where the protagonist embarks on a quest to find the best version of himself.
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For more on authors Michael Winkler and Wayne Marshall, including how they became writers and developed the ideas behind their books, you can find their full chats with The Riv at MMG podcasts.
The Campaspe Libraries, Echuca, author event with authors Michael Winkler and Wayne Marshall in conversation with Jenny Mustey is on July 29 at 2pm. Bookings can be made via 03 5481 2400 or atlibraries@campaspe.vic.gov.au
They will speak at Barham library, Thursday, July 30 at 11.30am. For bookings contact 1300 087 0004, barhamlib@murrayriver.nsw.gov.auor visit the library at 15 Murray St, Barham.
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