Many of you have long known what your web editor stumbled on when reading the ‘The Leader’ in early October.
Mary Small, who leads the popular “Armchair Travellers” class, is a well known author, with books of various genres to her credit. While she is perhaps best known for Tracey Mc Bean’s Stretching Machine, which was turned into a children’s television series, Mary has also written a number of books in co-operation with the Anzac Day Commemoration Committee.
It does not stop there; she has penned books with an environmental theme, books about horses (a childhood obsession of hers), and picture books for kids.
To call Mary an established writer would be an understatement. She started writing at the tender age of seven and had her first book, A Bear in my Bedroom, published in 1976.
By this time she had migrated from Plymouth in England to Australia and travelled widely in her new home country, finding ideas for new books along the way. Mary feels the 10 Pounds for her passage to Australia were the best value for money she has ever spent. Her readers surely feel they got an even better return for the investment.
Although some of her titles are out of print now, they can still be found on the library shelves. Mary has the following advice for other aspiring writers: Don’t be discouraged if a publisher knocks you back; re-think your story and try again!
Mary Small’s latest book Seek! is all about the tracker dogs in the Vietnam War, packed with background history and photos. It was launched on Saturday, 21st November, at the Sutherland Shire Historical Society (see photos above).
Not content to rest on her laurels, she is in the process of self-publishing Lennie’s Ride , the story of a 9-year old Gippsland boy, Lennie Gwyther, who was determined to witness the opening of the Harbour Bridge, and rode 6oo miles on his pony ‘Ginger Mick’ to fulfil his dream.
Amazingly, the hero’s sister, Beryl Ferrier, linked up with Mary, providing enthusiastic support. Beryl, by the way, is a member of Coolangatta U3A. Another U3A friend, Margaret Knowlden from St. Ives, has joined the team to work on the lay-out of the book.
Mary Small and her band of supporters expect Lennie’s Ride to be available early next year.
Your friends from U3A Endeavour (Southern) Region wish you continued success, Mary!
