You’re never too old to publish your first book – just ask Nantes Quinot Jnr, who, at the young age of 86, is embarking on this journey.
Nantes, along with fellow local author Katy More, is gearing up for a book signing tour throughout May. Nantes, from Morayfield, is debuting his novel In Pursuit of Friendship, while Katy, an experienced author, releases her first fiction novel, Echoes of Treason. The tour will celebrate these new releases, giving readers the opportunity to meet the authors, hear their inspirations and obtain signed copies of their books.
Katy is no stranger to the publishing limelight but is very much looking forward to the upcoming tour and can’t wait to share it with Nantes.
“I met this impressive 86-year-old from Morayfield around August last year and have shared his journey as a first-time author,” she said. “It is an honour to be alongside him as he makes his debut with In Pursuit of Friendship. It is a gripping ‘whodunit’ that is set in Australia and features a colourful cast of characters, alongside shocking twists that keep you on the edge of your seat.”
Echoes of Treason is described as “not a story for the faint-hearted” and if you’re looking for a new book to read, this one could be for you!
“Echoes of Treason dives deep into complex themes – power, survival, betrayal and the consequences of genetic experimentation,” Katy said. “It doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of human (and non-human) nature.
“It’s for readers who like their science fiction with a dose of philosophy, a bit of gore and characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page.”
Writing, Perseverance and Lessons Learned
For Nantes, the excitement of releasing his first book is very real, despite it taking 10 years to come together thanks to his limited knowledge of computers. Even though he’s not sure how well his book – a combination of thoughts and personal experiences – will be received by readers, there’s a chance Nantes could write again and he has some advice for fellow budding authors.
“You have to have perseverance because there is no other way to do it,” Nantes said. “If you are going to fall at the first hurdle you are not going to make it and there are going to be many hurdles. So you have to persevere and look for the light at the end of the tunnel. It won’t happen in the short term, it is going to take a number of years, that is how it felt for me.”
Now with her third published book out in the world, Katy is still very much learning as she goes.
“Since this is my first novel but my third book, my approach to storytelling has definitely evolved along the way,” she said. “My first book was very personal – it was about my experience living with bipolar disorder. My second book was a compilation of my column, The World According to Kate, which was published in the local newspaper. That experience taught me a different kind of storytelling.
“One lesson I wish I had learned earlier? Writing isn’t about getting it perfect the first time – it’s about finishing. The real magic happens in the rewrites.”
The book tour will feature about 12 signings in local cafes throughout May from Caboolture to Redcliffe. Details can be found on the BookTree Publishing Facebook page. Book copies are available at BookTree.
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