Stacey Welsh literally dreamed up the plot of her self-published first novel. Picture: KYLIE ESLER
A WODONGA train conductor who almost failed year 12 English doesn’t expect to become the next J.K. Rowling.
Stacey Welsh said she’d love her first novel, Scarlett Blade The Bandit Queen, to take off like the Harry Potter series but was keeping it real.
“I’m being realistic, it’s a fickle job,” Ms Welsh said yesterday.
The idea for the self-published adventure-fantasy novel is a dream come true — literally.
She dreamed the concept in great detail two years ago, wrote it down for a month and then spent 18 months writing her book after working night shift as a full-time Public Transport NSW employee.
She is working on several more ideas she has for books.
Having learned to read as a four-year-old on a trip across the Nullarbor Plain, Ms Welsh has come a long way.
“I’ve always been interested in writing,” she said.
“I tell people this book is not bad for someone who nearly failed English in year 12.”
So far, Ms Welsh has had good feedback from friends, family and even strangers about the book.
It tells the story of Arienne, an illegitimate child who grows up to become leader of the bandits.
She will sign copies of Scarlett Blade The Bandit Queen outside Dymocks Albury today from 10.30am.
