While we may live in an age where surfing the internet and whittling away time on apps have become major pastimes, in the Bega Valley there is still a strong support for books by local authors.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The first five items on Candelo Books’ list of bestsellers from the last 10 years are all by locals from the South East.
Topping off the list is Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe which has sold 500 copies at the shop in Bega.
Coming in second is On Track by John Blay, followed by Gabbie Stroud’s Teacher, The Jungle Dark by Steve Strevens then DVDs of the film Understory by David Gallan.
South East author Mark McKenna’s history book From The Edge was seventh on the list, while Jennifer Elliott’s Baby Boomers, Bellies and Blood Sugars was eighth.
The first mainstream book on the list came in at sixth and was The Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape.
Candelo Books owners Marianna Ypma and Myoung Jae Yi said they had in fact sold more copies of Dark Emu than Dymocks in Sydney, as well as more than on the largest online bookstore in Australia.
They were not surprised local authors topped off the bestseller list, as they told the story of people in the area.
“I think people are really proud someone in our community has had success with a story that concerns us,” Ms Ypma said.
“And we’re learning about ourselves really, all these histories brought to life,” Mr Yi said.
While the list only stretches back 10 years, they said one of the most popular books sold by the store’s previous owner was also by a local author – Smiling at Shadows: A Mother's Journey Raising an Autistic Child by Junee Waites.
While it was clear the community embraced its local authors, Ms Ypma said it worked both ways.
“The authors are really supportive of the community as well and often when they could have a book launch in Sydney or Melbourne they choose to have it here,” she said.
“They have had success in publishing on a national level, but they still choose to share with their community and support their community so the community supports them back.”
For instance, at Ms Stroud’s book launch many teachers came to support her while when Mr Strevens released his book, which is the story of Vietnam War veteran Frank Hunt, he was supported by members of the RSL.
Albert McKnight
Journalist at Bega District News.
Journalist at Bega District News.
