Brickley lands publishing deal

For Anglesea’s Tony Brickley, writing has turned from a hobby to a potential livelihood after his first novel The Playground Hunter was picked up by UK publisher Austin MaCauley.

The 60-year-old said he’s spent a lifetime working in sales but writing had always been a passion of his and despite a number of knock backs, believed in his works.

“This will be my first published book. I started writing it about 10-15 years ago, I’ve always dabbled in writing, I play a bit of music so have fiddled around with songs,” he said.

“The novel idea started up the best part of 12 years ago and the research for this particular novel took around three to four years.

“It’s a fictional story but is based around events that took place in Victoria around 1968. I had to make sure the facts were right, there were a lot of historical events happening globally around that time.

“There was the Vietnam War, NASA was pushing Apollo and getting ready to go to the moon, Prime Minister Harold Holt drowned, Robert Kennedy was assassinated.”

Mr Brickley said the research was in depth from street names, to television shows and knowing what was on then weaving it into the novel; nearly as difficult as finding a publisher.

“As any first-time writer would know you end up with a show box of rejection letters which you get along the way. I’d speak to a lot of literary agents but when you’re a first-time author they don’t really want to know you,” he said.

“Austin MaCauley (UK publisher) are based out of England and they’re already talking to me about releasing the second novel I’m currently working on the same time next year.

“This book is due for release pre-Christmas. Getting this book published is wonderful and I’m really happy with the fact they want me to finish my second novel, we’re getting towards being able to earn enough money just to stay home and keep writing.”