Being a big fan of rural/outback books, I, like many others, have Tony Parsons’ books in my bookshelves. The Call of the High Country, Return to the High Country, Valley of the White Gold and Silver in the Sun. I was talking with friends on facebook about what Tony was up to as we hadn’t heard from him in a while….surely a book must be close? So I contacted Tony and we had a chat! Firstly, I let him know I was also an author with Penguin and we had the same publisher and secondly – and most importantly- that I had all his books!!
He was happy to chat with me and I was amazed to find out he would be turning 80 in a few months!! So of course, being a fan, I asked him what he was working on. Tony has just finished a 700 page book called “The Kelpie” his biggest dog book yet. It is his forth Kelpie book and is published with Penguin, due for release in September this year. For those who didn’t know Tony is a bit of a legend in regards to the Kelpie dog. He established “Karrawarra” one of the top breeding kelpie studs in Australia. He was also awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 1992 for his contribution to the propagation of the Australian kelpie sheepdog. I have a kelpie also and love her to bits, she’s so clever.
He has since passed on his stud of Kelpie dogs so they will continue on. (I also found out from Tony that a bloke not far from me in Wagin has his Kelpies, so I will be checking them out next time I’m at the Woolorama!)
Tony is very proud of his book “The Kelpie”. He said it is full of great colour photos, has a vet section as well as little stories about the working Kelpie. All his other kelpie books are out of print and can fetch a penny or two on ebay.
As for another novel, Tony has written one which is currently with Penguin and he’s hoping to hear from them soon. Not bad for a bloke who’s nearing 80! I asked him what he likes to read and he said Hemingway, and a few others but he doesn’t read while he writes in case it alters his writing.
Well that was about it for my chat with the great Tony Parsons (although we may have strayed on dogs for a while and chatting about our publishing house!).
We will have to keep an eye out for his fifth book!
Big thanks to Tony who gave me his time, all the way from QLD to WA. Cheers mate.
How impressive is that! Almost 80 and still writing. I’m so happy you got a chance to talk to him. It’s good to finally know the answer to the mystery
Will definitely have to keep an eye out for his next book. Thanks for sharing Fiona.
No worries Karin, was glad i could contact him and find out what he was up to. x
Thanks for sharing. I just finished Silver in the Sun last week and though I knew he was 80 there is little on the internet about him. Am chuffed that another one is in the pipelines. The news couldn’t have been more timely…
Thanks Gemma, i had only just finished Silver in the Sun also, the only one left to read. I was hoping to get some ideas on how to save our dying community but ours is soooo much smaller and dosn’t have a nice river nearby lol
Hi Fiona
Have just finished Return to the High Country and loved it as much if not more than Call to the High Country which I read earlier in the year.
I cried while reading both of these books, I will now start the next two books and look forward to a new book from Tony. Very special for you to speak to Tony.
Recently we went to a show at Ganmain near Wagga Wagga and the first thing I checked out was the working dogs, just amazing to see in real life. I feel Tony has taught me a little about this wonderful country and its people.
Keep reading…….
I agree Wendy, you really do learn something when you read his books. His huge knowledge on Kelpies is amazing and his new book coming out on Kelpies is massive! x
Hi Fiona,
Thank you for having some info on Tony Parsons, I have only recently read all 4 books and can’t wait for another to be released. I live in the Blue Mountains, but was an outback country girl, so just love to read of that life, brings back memories. Just wish my dad was still alive, as he would be so interested in the Kelpie book, as he bred them also. Regards Margaret
Hi Margaret,
Thanks. Tony was lovely, and he’s so passionate about his Kelpies. My favourite kind of dog as I have one and she’s just beautiful. x