{"id":8573,"date":"2018-04-04T07:56:10","date_gmt":"2018-04-04T07:56:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bellarinetimes\/?p=8573"},"modified":"2018-04-06T02:24:06","modified_gmt":"2018-04-06T02:24:06","slug":"national-accolades-for-award-winning-author-bookshop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bellarinetimes\/living\/national-accolades-for-award-winning-author-bookshop\/","title":{"rendered":"National accolades for award winning author, bookshop"},"content":{"rendered":"

LOCAL author and teacher Mark Smith believes the old saying every English teacher thinks they have a novel in them and in his case, it\u2019s a trilogy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr Smith\u2019s first novel The Road to Winter was shortlisted in last year\u2019s Young Adult Indie Book Award category and the sequel Wilder Country, was recently announced as this year\u2019s winner.<\/p>\n

In its 10th year, the Indie Book Awards held in Hobart March 25-27 recognise and celebrate the country\u2019s incredible talent and the role independent booksellers play in supporting and nurturing Australian writing.<\/p>\n

Mark said his second novel (part of a trilogy with Text Publishing) is set in a town not dissimilar to Anglesea and tells the story of two teenage boys and a girl.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a journey book that tells a story after a massive virus has wiped out most of the population. The three main characters venture into rogue territory known as Wilder Country where law and order has broken down; they go inland to find a baby and bring the baby home,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Mr Smith draws from his daily life for inspiration for his novels, including the Surf Coast surrounds and his own daughter\u2019s birth story.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven though it\u2019s almost the end of the world, the main character still finds time to surf. It helps him keep in touch with his old life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Mr Smith said to be recognised with a national award served as a confirmation that his books were resonating with an audience.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe story itself normally takes 12 months to write, then another six months to get organised for submission and another 12 months after it\u2019s submitted before it appears on the bookshelves,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the minute I\u2019m working two full time jobs working and writing on the weekends, at night and during the school holidays. As an author what more could you want than to see your book in a store and to pick up an award like this, it\u2019s the affirmation that you can actually do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr Smith travelled to Hobart March 26 and was joined by Torquay Books owner, Rosemary Featherston, who won the Regional Bookstore of the Year award.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had no idea we were going to win \u2013 the publishers have a list of criteria and they nominate booksellers that meet that criteria. The final decision is made by Leading Edge, I won the same award three years ago,\u201d Ms Featherston said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re really proactive in the community, we have events and I\u2019m willing to take on things and give authors a go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019re successful because we have fantastic staff, we know how to have fun. We provide fantastic customer service, and the community really embraces small businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n