The local electronics technician turned author is celebrating the release of his first published novel, Top Siders.

“It’s quite surreal to actually have my book on the shelves of a book store. It has taken a while to sink in, really. I think when I was signing books for people at the launch was when it became clear that this is really happening,” he said.

Scott’s debut novel is making waves in the horror fiction genre, as interest in his writing grows around the world. 

“It’s a little bit hard for me to take on having people say they are really enjoying my book and like my writing. People that you know saying they like your work is nice, but when total strangers get in touch and seek you out to compliment you it carries a whole different meaning.”

Born in Bathurst, Scott did not follow the typical career path into becoming an author. 

“I actually hated school and in Year 10 I pulled the pin. I couldn’t wait to get out of there, it just wasn’t me.”

Scott immediately began a career in electronics and thought it was what he would do for the rest of his life. 

“I did an apprenticeship in electronics and four years later bought the company I worked for. Sixteen years later, though, I had had enough. I just didn’t want to do it full-time anymore and took almost a year out and started writing,” he said.

During that year he wrote every day. 

“I felt at ease and was in a really good place, with support and encouragement from my partner, and I wrote about three or four books during my time off. It was a very cathartic process and without my partner I don’t think I would have been able to do any of this.”

Scott’s year of discovering himself as a writer taught him a lot and allowed him to set a more even tone for his life. 

“I started up a new electronic repairs business, working from home, which has allowed me to take more time for my writing."

Scott said as he became more and more immersed in the world of writing he met other writers and formed some lasting relationships which helped him develop his skills.. 

“Well-known Australian horror writer Steve Gerlach has become a bit of a mentor to me. He has gone over a few of my manuscripts and is very critical, but very honest,” he said. 

“Actually, the first manuscript I gave him he was really harsh on and for a few days I felt a bit cranky about it. But then I thought to myself, ‘This guy is a great writer, I think he knows a lot more than me’. So I took his comments on board and responded, thanking him and pursuing his suggestions. He said I had passed his first test by being able to take criticism.”

A few years ago Scott found himself with two book deals in the pipeline with two American publishers. 

“That was pretty amazing for me, but for different reasons they didn’t work out. One of the publishers was bought out and the new owners didn’t want to take on any of the new contracts and the other one fell over when the editor that had my manuscript left the company and the publisher scrapped all his projects. 

“In the end I think that all happened for the best because now I have a book in print through an Australian publisher and I think the timing is probably much better.”

Scott said the support he has received from his family is what has made this a reality for him. 

He has three children but probably only the eldest will read his first novel. 

“It is a bit scary so I don’t think my 15-year-old and nine-year-old will read it, but my 21-year-old daughter is keen to read it. She loves that I have done this and has been one of my best promoters.”

Scott said he didn’t intentionally set out to write a horror novel; it was more a case of having a “bit of an idea” and then seeing where it led.  

“It’s a genre I like to read. When I was a teenager I read a lot of Stephen King and watched a lot of horror movies,” he said. 

“It’s an area I am naturally attracted to for some reason.”

Early reviews of Top Siders indicate that Scott is a natural in the genre, with horror fans describing his story about subterranean creatures who use an abandoned house by a river as a portal into the world a “great read” and “a real page turner”.

Scott said this process has shown him exactly what he wants to do from here on in. 

“I can see that I will be doing this for the rest of my life now,” he said.

Top Siders is available online through Amazon and locally at Books Plus.