Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
I am Phil Leighton-Daly. I have taught primary school and survival swimming for the NSW Education Department for 45 years.
I have been writing books for the last 25 years, roughly one for each year. I have 13 local histories and 12 young adult fiction. Wednesdays Child is my most renowned non-fiction. It details the sad plight of an asylum or as it was later known, a mental hospital. Sixteen of my books are featured on Goodreads. My most well known fiction is the Fisherman and his Foundlings (4000 words) This Foundlings and the Fisherman is a larger revision of the above (18000 words). The 4000-word version has received dozens of 4-star commendations from the Online Book Club.
My wife and I have been married for 45 years. We have two children and a wolf hound. My son teaches law, my daughter is a school teacher. I taught both my children for seven years in small schools.
I am actively involved in bushwalking tennis, kayaking and swimming. Karaoke and singing in a choir are enjoyable. I attend a small Christian church and assist with the morale of the less fortunate.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “The Foundlings and the Fisherman from Tumby”?
The writing of my original 4000- word Fisherman story was largely a reflection of my philosophy on life, to help others. My writing emanates primarily from my experiences in the bush, in the ocean and on the rivers and lakes.
Difficulties arose when I thought publishers could do a better job than me. Cost was a restraint, dishonesty, proximity to publishers, and classification (young adult). They marketed my work as a nursery rhyme because of the illustrations!
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
Oscar Wilde, Ernest Hemmingway and Mark Twain were literary giants for me. My extensive experiences in the rugged mountains, extensive waterways and with a range of different personalities have shaped the excitement. My earnest interest in history has added to that.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I spent much time in isolated little schools nearby historic waterways and treacherous mountainous ranges. The mighty Hawkesbury River, near Sydney, so rich and resplendent with flora and fauna is featured in my story along with the desolate Bungonia Recreation Area near Goulburn in NSW.
Q5. How long did it take you to write your book ‘The Foundlings and the Fisherman from Tumby’?
One year altogether for both books. It was truly a labour of love. I accompanied my characters through their successes and tragedies.
Q6. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
Barnes and Noble, Amazon and a plethora of book sellers advertise the book. It is largely overpriced. I have had nil control over that. If interested I suggest you research around.
Q7. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The Foundlings and the Fisherman from Tumby’?
ExLibris did a great job with the cover and illustrations. Not so in several other areas however. I was meticulous in prompting them with the details for each illustration. The same illustrations were used in both books The Foundlings and The Fisherman was printed by Prime Seven Media in 2024, the shorter version, 5 years before. An hour documentary on the Fisherman and his Foundlings is available on the internet. I was interviewed by the renowned American actor and interviewer, Logan Crawford.
Q8. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
Here are several ways I maintained interest throughout. A plethora of life experiences woven into the storyline. The regular introduction of peculiar characters exhibiting a range of curious behaviour.
Consistent behaviour in protagonists and antagonists. An immediate complication (reason to keep reading) in the first few paragraphs. Each new chapter, and there are about 40 short chapters, readers are faced with further complications. These fester into a final escalation followed by a final resolution. The book is rich in figurative speech, irony, karma, humour, and moral orientations.
Q9. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
Patience, modelling, imagination, lateral thought, utilize life’s experiences and look for characters for your books wherever you go.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my 25 years writing, so much so, I don’t know where those years have gone. But then I glance up on my bookshelves and I proudly note my 25 publications. My time has not been wasted. Thank you for your time and happy writing.
Buy The Foundlings and the Fisherman from Tumby
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