Award-winning historical fiction writer Dell Brand hosted a book launch for her most recent work, Wylde Oates, at Kiama Library.

Wylde Oates is Dell’s 13th book and fans helped her celebrate its success with an afternoon tea at the library. Those who attended heard how Dell came up with the idea for the book, set in Scotland, Sydney and Port Macquarie in the 1800s, while travelling through the British Isles with her late husband John. 

“John and I visited New Lanark Cotton Mill when we were in Scotland, and I like to write about places I’ve been to,” explains Dell.

The book follows the journey of Tom Wylde who lands a job at the mill as a 14-year-old. Tom’s life is on track - he has a job and is set to marry his childhood sweetheart Bella Oates - until his temper gets the better of him. Convicted of a serious crime and sentenced to prison in the colony of NSW, Tom tells Bella to forget him. 

When Tom arrives in Sydney he begins work for Governor Macquaries in Parramatta before landing a job at a textile factory in Botany. 

“He hasn’t heard from Bella,” says Dell. “And once he receives his ticket of leave and is a free man he allows himself to fall in love and marry another woman. But soon after a letter from Bella arrives. She is on her way to find him.” 

Married to one and betrothed to another, Tom’s life is turned upside down. Despite the crossroads he finds himself at, Tom manages to carve out a successful life harvesting timber as a free man in Port Macquarie. He applies for a land grant and is successful, his superiors telling him he is “an honest and hard working man” who has “helped Port Macquarie prosper”.  Tom is instrumental in the construction of Port Macquarie’s Anglican Church, selecting the cedar and other timbers for the Church’s pew boxes and pulpit. 

Wylde Oates, which won an award at the London Book Fair, has been praised for its attention to historical details, something Dell is meticulous about. The author says 20 years as a volunteer at the Kiama Family History Centre helped to hone her impeccable research skills and her love of history. 

“When I'm doing my research I always try to find original sources,” says Dell. “I find diaries, newspaper clippings and journals written at the time. First hand information is key to good research.”

So it was fitting that the book was launched at one of Dell’s favourite haunts, Kiama Library. Dell is a passionate supporter of libraries, where she has launched each of her books. She frequently hosts writing talks at local libraries and was invited by Friends of Kiama Library to speak about her books, and the art of writing, at their Christmas function last year. 

Dell is always happy to share her expertise with those interested in learning more about the craft of writing and runs a regular writing group - The Fiction Writers Group - as part of the South Coast Writers Centre. 

“Every month we share excerpts from what we are writing and we give each other feedback on how we think our books are going,” says Dell. 

This edition The Bugle is giving away a copy of Wylde Oates to one lucky reader who can tell us the name of the old Anglican church in Port Macquarie that Tom helped to build.