Meet Ryan Butta, author of the new biography, The Bravest Scout at Gallipoli – a previously untold story of one of Australia’s forgotten wartime heroes. In this lively and interesting conversation, Ryan shares what led him to tell this particular story, his research process and other fascinating stories from here and overseas that inadvertently prepared him for a life as a published author.
00:00 Introduction and host welcome 00:19 Upcoming travel writing course 00:38 Special bonuses for enrollees 05:42 Writing tip: Imagination game 09:42 Win: Diving, Falling by Kylie Mirmohamadi 11:32 Word of the week: Imbrication 14:12 Interview with Ryan Butta 28:36 Organising research and writing process 30:13 Starting the writing journey 31:23 From fiction to nonfiction 34:18 Pitching and publishing success 36:54 Challenges and realities of being published 39:51 New projects and future plans 45:48 Passion and motivation in writing 49:50 Top tips for nonfiction writing
After starting out life on the opal fields of western NSW, Ryan was raised among the vineyards and horse studs of the Hunter Valley. His first work of historical non-fiction,The Ballad of Abdul Wade, recounted the previously untold story of the Afghan men that came to Australia in the1800s to work in the mining and wool industries. The Ballad of Abdul Wade was longlisted for the Indie Book Awards non-fiction book of the year for 2023. Ryan's latest work, The Bravest Scout at Gallipoli, retells the remarkable life story of Harry Freame, a Japanese-Australian adventurer, soldier of fortune, Anzac, orchardist and spy.
Ryan's feature writing has appeared in the Good Weekend Magazine and he is a regular contributor to Galah Press, writing about the people and places of regional Australia. Ryan’s works of historical non-fiction look to reveal and understand the hidden and forgotten stories of Australia and the Australians who, like his own family, came across the seas to make their home here. Ryan believes that only by dismantling the myths of the past can we build the country of the future. Ryan now lives on Dharawal country on the NSW South Coast.
