Prolific author hitting the region

Lachlan Fox, Alister Gammaldi and Jed Walker are household names to many fans of thriller novels, and their creator is headed to Portland Library on Thursday, July 25, to talk about his work.

At a special Libraries After Dark event James Phelan will talk about his writing journey, discuss the art of storytelling, and explain the structure, substance and style of thrilling stories.

James is the Melbourne-based author of 30 books for adults and children, which have sold over five million copies worldwide.

His work includes thrillers, his debut Fox Hunt was the success that enabled him to become a full-time novelist, a Young Adult post-apocalyptic trilogy, Middle Grade (ages 7-14) adventures, and non-fiction. He is noted for creating engaging stories driven by a suspenseful writing style.

Along with his writing, James spends three months each year on book tours around the world, regularly talking at schools and universities.

He has tutored literature and creative writing at several universities, at both undergraduate and post-graduate level and is a regular guest speaker and workshop facilitator on the literary festival circuit.

James enjoyed much of his childhood in South West Victoria, where his school holidays were spent visiting his grandmother at Tower Hill, a time and place where he developed his love for stories and reading.

As a teenager James discovered a love of thrillers, of being entertained and informed along the way.

James developed the idea of his first book while still in high school, and after studying Architecture at RMIT and working on the Federation Square design team, he started following his dream of becoming a novelist.

He spent five years as a staff writer at The Age newspaper, while studying a Master of Arts in Writing, and a PhD in Literature.

James has been a full-time novelist for about 20 years and his novels have won numerous awards, including the YABBA, KOALA, COOL, CROC, YALSA and ABIA.

Details

Portland Library Thursday, 25 July from 6.30pm – 8pm FREE event, light refreshments provided Bookings preferred, phone Portland (03)5522 2265 or message Glenelg Libraries on Facebook or Instagram.