THE FUTURE IS NIGH in Rosson’s post-apocalyptic thriller

Fast forward 700-plus years to a post-apocalyptic Melbourne riddled by the impacts of climate change, and you have the
backdrop to local author Stuart Rosson’s first novel, East.

Climate change has had a catastrophic effect on society and this action-adventure offers an epic journey; mystery, intrigue, romance and unexpected twists and turns, as the characters – and reader – gradually discover what has become of the world.

Stuart said the idea for East – all three books and the prequel – came to him while he was up a ladder cleaning the gutters at his mother’s house.

“I was cleaning out the gutters at my mother’s place and thinking about the world and the state of the world. The
idea came to me how interesting it would be to be a fly on the wall 500- 1,000 years in the future,” he said.

“I had the germ of all three books by the time I climbed down. This book has been a very long project. It was on the shelf for three years at one point while I built this house.”

East has been a labour of love for Stuart who spent years working as the medical and science writer for the Sun News Pictorial, after studying science at university.

“Throughout the ‘90s I worked for a global surf company and was often co-opted into writing marketing copy, before I left the surf industry to study natural medicine and astrology,” he said.

“I had no idea how to write a novel, despite spending so many years as a writer, but I knew how to talk about things that inspired me; the story is not just a thrilling adventure or an odyssey, but one where we are forced to stop and think about ourselves in those situations.

“We spend a lot of time worrying about climate change but no one is really talking about the changed world. What will it look like? What will we become? How will society function?”

He said he was grateful for the support and enthusiasm of his three sons Sam, Luke and Harry who have all read the book and offered suggestion along the way.

“Back nearly 30 years ago I did have ideas about writing novels, what happens though is you get a real job, kids come along and you’ve got financial commitments,” he said.

“I guess it’s not unusual then for 30 years to pass before it comes full circle. All three of my boys have read the book and have been interested right from the early stage.”

East will be launched at the Belmont Hotel on Sunday December 2, from 2pm, it is also available online and at the Torquay Bookshop.

For more information, phone 0407 457 401.