Yes, that's me!

How could one so young write so many wonderful books, and be so modest??

Three in One!

I'm a classic example of genes at work.  Though not necessarily evolution!

For many years a teacher of English (not to mention numerous other subjects), and a senior administrator with the Victorian Education Department, I'm the third generation in my family to be published...

Granddad...

My grandfather, Bernard Capes, actually had 38 books published, mainly novels, but including two volumes of poetry and many short stories.  His second book won a 'lucrative prize' in an American newspaper’s writing competition.  Several of his books went into later editions, and a number are still available on the internet.

...and uncle...

My uncle, Renalt Capes had three books published, and a screenplay produced.

The curse!

I think I (grandson/nephew) am also the subject of a possibly-unique curse - my very first book (Scratcher) was published  by the second publisher I approached (so far this has sold nearly 5,000 copies).

Feedback on Scratcher has been excellent, from schools and individuals.

For example, Sahaj, who lives in Bangalore in India, said, amongst other things: 'It is marvellous how you made something extra-ordinary happen in every ordinary day.'

Lindsay went a step further: 'I'm not saying you can't write like an adult but you really did write with a child's mind.'

Thanks, Lindsay, but you should have put an exclamation mark in there somewhere!

Bronwyn, in a class that the teacher read some of Scratcher aloud to, wrote: 'Your story was so amusing in nearly every sentence that our grade burst out laughing.  Miss Hendley is just like our teacher Miss Young, she's kind and pretty.'

Which, of course, was true!

Preview Scratcher has some more comments.

So, it was on!

You can see why I was encouraged to go on and write more books (not least by my younger daughter, who wanted me to write a book about a girl...so...see Funny stories about a country girl).  You can see many of my completed works at my Books list, which includes Beethoven! the musical play.  I've also written many stage sketches and songs, training videos, and produced a number of television commercials.

I'm still hoping that the curse is not terminal...especially as I love writing, especially of a humorous kind, and love seeing or hearing people's reactions to my work.

38 books?  Well, that's my challenge - I'm up to 29 (19 are in a series for younger children which I'm looking for an illustrator to collaborate with).

All the books are printed to bookshop quality by an international on-line publisher.  Find more at Purchase options.

If you live in Melbourne, you can find some of my professional publications - and Scratcher - in the State Library of Victoria.

Also in my former professional life, but not (I think) in the State Library, I wrote two Country Papers for Australia, to be delivered at UNESCO conferences in Singapore and East Berlin.

More recently I've been involved in producing television campaigns.

Beyond writing

My interests include Scouting, environment restoration, supporting developing country micro business owners, music, and badminton.  And I still have a day job...

I'm married, with three children and seven grandchildren (including two adopted from India).