About

Candidly caught off guard.
Candidly caught off guard.

I am an Australian writer living in the village of Penestanan, next to the cultural centre of Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. It’s 2026 and after almost a year of not writing I’m back into it again.

I have been writing for as long as I can remember. Writing, to me, is in the same category as eating: necessary.

I graduated with a research Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from The University of Wollongong, Australia, in 2012.

Since then I have taken my literary pursuits to a new level by self-publishing my first two novels, How to be a Good Veronica, and the sequel Veronica Tries to be Good Again, and a short story collection, Social Distancing, which can be found online via Tablo Publishing. Go to the ‘Published Works’ page for the links to these three ebooks.

I write fiction, short stories and auto-fiction

I also read … a lot.

Favourite writers:

(in no particular order)

Colm Tóibín (Irish)

Tim Winton (Australian)

Ian McEwan (British)

Henry James (American)

Virginia Woolf  (British) – see my essay on Virginia Woolf in ‘Posts’.

John Williams (American)

Jane Bowles (American)

Charles Dickens (British)

Wilkie Collins (British)

George Elliot (British)

Patrick White (Australian)

Damon Galgut (South African)

W Somerset Maugham (British)

Christos Tsiolkas (Australian)

Patrick Gale (British)

Alan Bennett (British)

Frank Moorhouse (Australian)

Hannah Kent (Australian)

Alan Hollinghurst (British)

John Boyne (Irish)

James Joyce (Irish)

Anne Enright (Irish)

Hanya Yanagihara (American)

10 thoughts on “About”

  2. Michael – at last, a few moments of peace & reflection – memories of 1970’s Adelaide, South Australia, & our shared amateur theatrical experiences.
    More importantly, to read of your journey into the world’s of reading, writing and associated areas.
    Now, hopefully a new shared journey!

    Fond remembrances, Michael Speers [currently on our beloved Kangaroo Island].

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  7. Hi Michael I’m not sure if you remember me my name is Peter Bokay I worked with Ollie before he left I ended up taking his position in the back kitchen and I worked with Jeff ,Rebecca and a few others at the Tilbury hotel wollomooloo in the restaurant. I loved my experience at the Tilbury as an apprentice chef I have many fun and fond memories of watching The cabaret shows and I must admit you were the best employer I had ever worked under and had the pleasure of working with in the kitchen. You’re looking great it’s wonderful to see where your life s journey has taken you and Geoffrey .i hope you are both well in health and happiness . I am now a father and have been with my wife for the past 10 years I have a daughter named Selena and she is my entire world . Thank you for the beautiful memories . I still remember a lot of the menu at the Tilbury, from the famous bangers and mash with the red wine onions , flat head fish and chips with tarte sauce 2 wedges of lemon . The steaks with ju and side of mixed veggies

    Octopus salad served with a sweet chilli dressing . The tastiest Ceasar salad and chicken Ceasar ever . . I still use the recipe your wonderful bruschetta both olive and basil with parmesan cheese melted on-top. Onion tart ,

    not to mention the cheese platter s and the in house dessert s from the deep dish apple pie served with creme fresh

    creme brulee, mixed berries summer pudding served with creme Anglaise lemon tart and the decadent flourless chocolate cake yum 😋🤤 there is more but I don’t want to bore you . Happy new year Michael and Geoffrey love Peter b and family

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