Our local writer has won a huge award
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382104)
Rockingham, Australia
September 23, 2018 9:43pm CST
I belong to a writing group in our small town although lately I haven’t been able to get there very often. Another member who doesn’t get there very often has been working on a novel for several years. All his hard work has now come to fruition as he and his wife have just returned from London where he was officially awarded the prize for best unpublished manuscript in the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Award.
Bonnier Zaffre are publishing the book which will be released next September. The title was originally Blood on the Wattle but is being changed to Blood in the Dust, as they want the title to be global and not Australia specific.
This is really exciting news for our group. I hope the book does well for him.
20 people like this
21 responses
@sallypup (69177)
• Centralia, Washington
25 Sep 18
@stringer321 Nicely put. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
24 Sep 18
That is exciting news...a bit of celebrity rubbing elbows.
I don't aspire to be a writer, but dabble in my "journaling" on Mylot.
2 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
24 Sep 18
@JudyEv someone (a family member) told me I could easily assemble all of the email update I sent concerning my parents decline into a book. It's already been written...just needs editing.
I'm not sure anyone would care.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Sep 18
@Morleyhunt You might be surprised. People at the start of such a journey could well be interested. And 'ordinary' life stories are quite popular too.
@stringer321 (5682)
• Kiryat Ata, Israel
25 Sep 18
I found the name of the author, his name is Bill Swigs, he is from Australia, I guess he is from Bundury, if he is a local writer as you said. It can be found at the website of wilbur-niso-smithfoundation, under the News tag at the top menu.
Can you please tell us some about the manuscript that he wrote ?
Blood in the Dust sounds misterious, scarry... What is it all about ?
1 person likes this
@stringer321 (5682)
• Kiryat Ata, Israel
29 Sep 18
@JudyEv if it is not to be published, maybe someone will discover the book in the future...who knows. Maybe the book will be liked by many others. Like a burried tresure, like an artifact. Beneath the remains :-)
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Sep 18
@stringer321 It will be published as a paper- or hardback so hopefully he will make money from it.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40847)
• Laguna Woods, California
25 Sep 18
@JudyEv - How exciting! That is great news and a true honor for any writer!!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40847)
• Laguna Woods, California
29 Sep 18
@JudyEv - It can take writers a long time to write a really good book. I'm glad he has not given up!
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@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Sep 18
@DeborahDiane At least publishers will now take him seriously and perhaps read his book before rejecting it offhand.
1 person likes this
@ilocosboy (45155)
• Philippines
24 Sep 18
How I wish I can be like your fellow, I want to win in a writing contest.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Sep 18
He has been working on his novel for several years. Are you working on yours? 
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Sep 18
@ilocosboy Is there not a market for novels published in your own language?
@ilocosboy (45155)
• Philippines
24 Sep 18
I have my novel but written in our language, it would take more time translating the work. Maybe I'll just participate nanowrimo this November.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
25 Sep 18
What a great thing for him the your group!
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
25 Sep 18
@JudyEv With good reason. I assume you heard him read some of his work?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Sep 18
@JamesHxstatic Yes, he tried out a chapter on us a couple of years ago. He has battled really hard so he really deserves to get published,
1 person likes this
@dave121495 (1294)
• Philippines
25 Sep 18
One of my aspirations in life is that I could produce a good book people would love. I guess your friend right now is showered with blessings.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208951)
• United States
24 Sep 18
I went to a group like that once, all the writers were toting around self published books. I was wondering how much they paid for the privilege. I hope your friend's book does very well!
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17240)
• China
24 Sep 18
"Where there is a will,there is a way." They did your writing group proud .
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Sep 18
I've done a few writing courses and I'm now very good at 'pruning' my writing and cutting out all the padding. Consequently I find it hard to write more than a few thousand words of fiction. And now I keep losing my words and phrases so it's way too late to for me to expect to be able to write a novel.
@asfarasiknow (3340)
• Bournemouth, England
24 Sep 18
That's a big award and a major achievement.
1 person likes this
