I am a Veterinary Surgeon by training, but a writer by birth. I have been making up stories for as long as I can remember. The first story I shared was called "The Castaways", and I read it over the scratchy school intercom system at lunchtime in 1967.

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In 1972, age 12, I submitted my first novel, "Thoroughbred" (45,000 words) to the Moomba Arts Festival and was rewarded with a third-place prize in the young writers section.

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School and University intervened, and it was some years before I had my first short story, "The Reef", published in Billy Blue magazine (Vol 54, October 1981, 23-34).

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After finishing a BVSc, PhD and small animal surgical residency, I found time to revisit my first love.

 

In 1995, my short story, "Sunset Sonata", was awarded equal third place in the Todhunter Literary Awards. I was in good company; all three of my fellow recipients went on to become widely published in fiction, poetry and theatre.

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The following year another short story, "Turning Points" was shortlisted in the 1996 Ian St James Awards, and published in the New Writer magazine (Vol 8, May 1997, 4-9).

"This is an exceptionally well-written story, with a good deal of effective prose and strong characterisation" Ian St James Judge.

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Now I am retired from being a vet, so it's time to launch my new career ...

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