Maggots
29th July 2020
About Julie
Julie works part time as an anaesthetic nurse. Facing life and death scenarios often, this has given her insight into the unsung heroes who just do life. So many people's lives are incredible. Obstacles overcome, dreams realised, good times and laughter, tough times and sadness. We just need to hear their stories. That is Julie's dream. To tell the world the stories that otherwise, remain hidden. If they could do it, so can we.
Her debut novel Harry takes her father's captivating outback Australian tales and surrounds them with his inspirational life.
She is passionate about many things. Chocolate, family and breaking down people's stuffy stereotypes are just a few.
She lives with three adult children and one husband, whose life's goals are to keep her humble, and three dogs and two cats who are constantly hungry, no matter how much they eat.
A member of the Australian Writers' Centre and Writers Centre SA, she has completed numerous creative writing courses and hopes to one day be taken seriously as an author.
She is currently working on her second novel.
Why I wrote 'Harry'
We would sit around the dining room table. Having just finished our evening meal, my siblings and I waited for dessert to be served. The English style menu was uncomplicated in this Adelaide suburban home. As mum collected the empty plates and started making the custard to pour over the apple and rhubarb crumble baking in the oven, we five children tried to be patient. The early seventies held the belief that children's taste buds were, like one's appendix, unnecessary anatomy. And dessert was definitely the highlight of the often arduous evening meal. Even giving thanks in prayer did not seem to help as we waded through tough chops, boiled carrots, peas and cabbage, but the treasure of dessert at the end of a tasteless and tortuous journey was usually worth it.
The wait never seemed as long if we could get Dad to tell us one of his marvellous tales. Some evenings, he was just rearing to go. On others, he was tired from the day's work or weary with life's worries and would need a little coercion. But no matter how much effort we needed to give; it was definitely worth it. Whether it was a story about maggots or bunyips or a little church that changed his life forever, Harry's worn face would light up, his eyes begin to twinkle, and he would begin. Then for the next few minutes, dessert and everything else was forgotten as we were lost in the enthralling world of the outback that Harry had known for so many years of his life.
Dad captivated us with his yarns and inspired us with his life. This fictionalised biography will do the same for you too as you read his tales and discover his life story.
I have loved the hours (the years) spent writing this narrative and endured the long slow discomfort of self-discovery in this my first completed triumph as a writer.
Contact Me
Contact me on social media or through the form below, whether it's buying a book or an enquiry. I'd love to hear from you.
To find a local store where Harry is being sold visit my Stockists page, or alternatively, buy Harry online through Amazon, Book Depository or Booktopia.
What people are saying about Harry
I am really enjoying reading Harry. Not only is the book so well written but the paper used in the book is so lovely to touch. Well done on producing such a wonderful book. I will keep reading if you keep writing.
Congratulations Julie. I have just finished reading your book which I thoroughly enjoyed. Looking forward to your next one!
I settled into bed with the book at 8.30. Three hours later, I had read the whole book! I loved it. Harry is not only a great story, but it is wonderfully written. Well done Julie, I have no doubt that your Dad would be so proud. Thanks for sharing his story.
I have just finished reading Harry. It must have been very good as I haven't read a paperback start to finish ever and wouldn't have thought it possible that I would do it in 24 hours. Congratulations, now I'll have to wait for your next book. I hope you have already started.
I loved it! So well written. What a journey your dad's life took him on. It kept me wanting to read more. What a credit to you. I look forward to your next book.
A wonderful read, couldn't put it down. Harry was a true Aussie larrikin and I loved reading about his escapades as a shearer in the outback. Great job Julie, quite an achievement!
If you are thinking of a new book to snuggle in with on these cold wintery days and nights, then perhaps grab a blanket, light the fire, grab a cup of tea and give this one a crack!
I woke up at 2:00am this morning and couldn't get back to sleep, so I picked up Harry and continued to read a bit more. Anyway, at 7:30am I finished the book. Awesome read, waiting with bated breath till the next one!
When 18-year-old Harry is just beginning to find his feet after a difficult childhood in post WWI Adelaide, he experiences heart rending rejection and runs away to the Australian outback where, as an awkward station hand, he discovers a rare talent for shearing. Success as a gun shearer gives him confidence he's only dreamed of but also brings with it the biggest battle of his life. A challenge that needs someone bigger than himself to overcome.
Harry is a fictional narrative based on the true story of a profoundly deaf boy who endures bullying, abandonment and coming of age escapades. Then as a man, he encounters the tough but honest breed of men from the Aussie bush where he discovers success, failure, true friendship and love. Filled with humorous tales of life in the incredible Australian outback, it brings hope in the face of life-impacting challenges.