G R McDougall

Biography

The Author was winner of the Art-In-Unusual-Places Grant (2022), a Feature Poet at the Sydney Writers Festival (2018), Balmain Institute founder and President (2007-14), and winner, Ros Spenser Short Story Prize with Patting The Dog (2017). He is author of over thirty books, including six novels, fourteen poetry, travel and short stories, and numerous photo books. Founder of Pamela Press, he is published in international magazines, with photos exhibited in eleven countries.
The Author is the Camino de Santiago's most prolific author with ten eBooks and several paperbacks. He has extensive travel and teaching experience, and won Australian ecotourism, community project and literary prizes and grants. He co-created an Official NSW Bicentennial Project, the 250 km 'Great North Walk'. After many years managing Great Australian Walks, he refocused on photography, painting and storytelling, with seven novels.
'Belonging' is a fictional-biography of a 'black doctor' in colonial Australia. 'Starts With C' is a murder mystery where we don't who is the murder, who has been murdered, and who's telling the story. The third novel is the acclaimed 'Knowing Simone' set in Victor Hugo's France. 'Blacksmith and Canon' is volume one of the series '1503'. Inheritance is the second volume, with volumes 3 and 4 due in 2025. In between, he wrote, Sea Voices, inspired by a WW2 event in the Pacific.
Recent Awards include; Winner, Art-in-Usually-Places Grant, 2022, Wollongong City; Winner, Peter Cowan Short Story Prize, with 'Patting the Dog', Highly Commended, Peter Cowan Short Story Prize; Second, Peter Cowan Poetry Prize, and Feature Poet in the Sydney Writers festival. Included in numerous poetry and short story anthologies, Garry was Balmain Institute's president for seven years, a member of 'That Authors Collective' and 'Diverse' poetry group. He lives south of Sydney in the great and beautiful Illawarra.

Smashwords Interview

When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
In bed! My other interests are long-distance walking, great food, reading maps, taking photographs, cycling, painting, politics and travel. I've been travelling since an early age, hitchhiking locally from the age of sixteen, overseas at eighteen. I tasted liberty in mind, spirit and geography - at first to escape my father- and as a way of seeing other people and places. An interest in maps, food and photography sit together nicely. Eventually, I collected stories and experiences that made-up my Pilgrimage series. But there's a lot more stories to be told.
What is your writing process?
Obsessive. I have to 'be there', 'live it'. There has to be a central narrative idea that drives the story. It is an entirely messy process that only becomes itself through repeated editing, an obsessive amount. It is only finished when I am sick of it the fifth or fifteenth time. Writing for me is exciting, dangerous and painful. I cannot always tell what will happen next. The engine takes me there. However with 'Knowing Simone', set in C19th France, there is additional work in living in a time, place and culture so different from my own. Additional research have transitioned into a more solid planning process. Currently inspired by Emile Zola, a great storyteller.
Read more of this interview.

Where to buy in print

Series

Knowing Simone
It's the time of Victor Hugo. Surveyor and anarchist on-the-run, Patrice, is a 24 yr old with a false identity. He meets Simone, 36, a Pyrenees mine owner, in Gothic Lectoure. As their liaison develops, Patrice is caught in her erotic web, struggling to discover her mysterious connections to Paris and Napoleon III's government. When threatening forces arise, they form an unlikely alliance.
Knowing Simone
Price: $4.99 USD.
Pilgrimage: A Guide to Inspiration
The Way of St James. Camino de Santiago. The Way. The Camino. The world's oldest pilgrimage path, and its most prolific author. A lyrical, poetic account of the journey, fellow pilgrim and its towns, villages and cities: Pamplona, Belorado, Palas de Rey, Arzua, Santiago, St Jean, Figeac, Decazeville, Le Puy-en-Valey, Conques, St Domingo, San Sebastian, Leon, Burgos, Triacastela and more. And, yes. There is the suffering, the mishaps, the humour and the delights. It's a guide to inspiration.

Books

Damn!
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 63,410. Language: English. Published: December 7, 2020 . Categories: Nonfiction » Travel » Hikes & walks
The pilgrim's spontaneous journey to Santiago. What could go wrong? Seeking poetic inspiration, he discovers that there's more to it than he imagined. Join the fun, and come along. To Santiago!
Songs of the Camino
Price: Free! Words: 5,140. Language: English. Published: October 11, 2020 . Categories: Nonfiction » Music » Lyrics
Song lyrics inspired by the Camino. Since its Way's revival in the 1990s, new songs flourish. This new edition adds songs and links to music with the journey its inspiration. Any songwriter may send their work to utravel9@gmail.com
Blacksmith and Canon
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 93,120. Language: English. Published: June 29, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Historical » Medieval, Fiction » Adventure » Action
A blacksmith-storyteller accused of three murders is brought before a severe Canon-Magistrate. But Louis strikes a bargain where only one will survive. Join his dark journey with knights, archers, scribe, and the Neapolitan's Rosalonda and Semla. His outrageous medieval tales offend the Canon and beguile others, before the grand finale. Inspired by Name of the Rose, Don Quixote and Rabelais.
Starts with C
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 89,740. Language: English. Published: November 9, 2019 . Categories: Screenplays » Crime, Fiction » Historical » Australia & New Zealand
Aussie Noir. Corrupt Bicentennial official, Cliff Badger, disappears during a national crisis. Months later a charred body is found. Who is it? Who's the murderer, and who's telling the story? The Riot Squad fears a black uprising on Australia Day, so local handyman, Kev, does the detective work. But at what cost? An outback murder mystery turned upside-down, Down Under.
The Buccaneers Parade
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 8,110. Language: English. Published: November 3, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Poetry » Contemporary Poetry
Is this The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, or the sting of Anonymous or the inspiration of pilgrimage? The Global Financial Crisis had Portugal on its knees, but these spirited sailors know their way about. Or do they?
Borders
Price: Free! Words: 5,070. Language: English. Published: July 10, 2019 . Categories: Nonfiction » Travel » Essays & Travelogues, Nonfiction » Travel » By region » Europe
Borders is a documentary TV proposal. It outlines the case for six-part series of the world's borders based on the travelogue: Border and Soul.
Knowing Simone
Series: Knowing Simone. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 84,980. Language: Commonwealth English. Published: January 13, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Historical » Ancient, Fiction » Adventure » Action
Online Book Club's Five Star Rating "Sexy, scandalous. I can hear Emile Zola cheering. The dictatorial 'Third Empire' is losing its grip. Patrice, a young man on-the-run, meets a powerful woman in a precarious situation. Patrice sets out to 'know' Simone, their unlikely alliance involves perversity, adventure, intrigue and betrayal. A case of dynamite romance rocks Victor Hugo's France.
Inner Flash
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 16,260. Language: English. Published: January 10, 2015 . Categories: Poetry » Australian & Oceanian
Fully revised 2020 2nd Edition with nine new works, including Poetica Olympics where poems are read at a rapid pace. Plus enjoy thirty-nine other short stories and poems that says life-is-worth-living. Celebrate the wonderful 'Tipsy', 'Patting the Dog', 'Tribute to Kiama' and 'Perpetual Train'. "For colourful images, wordplay & outstanding rhythm, Garry's prize-winning work is unbeatable.
Along the Way
Series: Pilgrimage: A Guide to Inspiration, 7. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 10,400. Language: English. Published: January 30, 2014 . Categories: Poetry » Contemporary Poetry
Prizewinning poetic travel writing from France, Portugal and Spain. Along the Camino Way is 'The Best of...' including 'To San Domingo de la Calzada' and 'Tribute to Decazeville'. 'Icehouse', 'And Merriment Tonight' and 'Nogaro Rugby'. 'There is no option. Six stars…' Fanstory reader, plus “beautiful poetic writing", with “inspired metaphor, written “to a breathless walking rhythm”.
Journey to the Ardeche
Series: Pilgrimage: A Guide to Inspiration, 6. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 7,600. Language: English. Published: January 16, 2014 . Categories: Nonfiction » Travel » Essays & Travelogues, Essay » Literature
Journeying to the Ardeche via the Languedoc. Dazzling, energetic travel writing by award-winning author G McDougall.
Pilgrimage Five (Third Edition)
Series: Pilgrimage: A Guide to Inspiration, 5. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 14,650. Language: English. Published: September 8, 2013 . Categories: Nonfiction » Travel » Essays & Travelogues
Short stories of French and Spanish towns and pilgrim travel. "Pilgrimage is off-the-scale travel writing: comic and affectionate. Using inspired metaphor, it is beautiful poetic writing ...to a breathless walking rhythm." An inspiration on the path to Santiago, the Camino's most prolific author introduces us to the pilgrimage experience, and the incredible heritage towns along 'the Way'.
Pilgrimage Towns and Tales: Camino France and Spain
Series: Pilgrimage: A Guide to Inspiration, 4. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 10,590. Language: English. Published: January 27, 2013 . Categories: Nonfiction » Travel » By region » Europe, Nonfiction » Travel » By region » Europe
Be inspired! Fabulous pilgrimage towns and mountains on the Camino that you won't want to miss. If you intend walking or are reliving it. Written with affection and bite, from a vibrant and passionate pen. "Pilgrimage is off-the-scale travel writing: comic and affectionate. Using inspired metaphor, it is beautiful poetic writing ...to a breathless walking rhythm."
Pilgrimage: Exploring France's Ancient Pilgrim Towns
Series: Pilgrimage: A Guide to Inspiration, 3. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 12,820. Language: English. Published: January 18, 2013 . Categories: Nonfiction » Travel » By region » Europe, Nonfiction » Entertainment » History & Criticism
Be inspired! NEW edition of Pilgrimage explores France's ancient towns on the Santiago Pilgrim's Way. Relive the journey with poetic affection and bite, lovingly written, with a vibrant and passionate pen. You'll want to see these towns for yourself. Commentators say Pilgrimage is “beautiful poetic writing", written with “Inspired metaphor”, “to a breathless walking rhythm
Pilgrimage: Meeting Spain's Pilgrim Towns
Series: Pilgrimage: A Guide to Inspiration, 2. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 12,830. Language: English. Published: January 16, 2013 . Categories: Nonfiction » Travel » By region » Europe, Nonfiction » Travel » By region » Europe
"Pilgrimage is off-the-scale travel writing: comic and affectionate. Using inspired metaphor, it is beautiful poetic writing ...to a breathless walking rhythm." An inspiration on the path to Santiago, the Camino's most prolific author introduces us to the pilgrimage experience, and the incredible heritage towns along 'the Way'.
Pilgrimage: Meeting France and Spain's Pilgrim Towns
Series: Pilgrimage: A Guide to Inspiration, 1. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 10,780. Language: English. Published: January 14, 2013 . Categories: Nonfiction » Travel » Hikes & walks, Nonfiction » Entertainment » History & Criticism
In the first of seven eBooks, "Pilgrimage is off-the-scale travel writing: comic and affectionate. Using inspired metaphor, it is beautiful poetic writing ...to a breathless walking rhythm." An inspiration on the path to Santiago, the Camino's most prolific author introduces us to the pilgrimage experience, and the incredible heritage towns along 'the Way'.
Belonging
Price: $3.95 USD. Words: 97,760. Language: Commonwealth English. Published: February 23, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Historical » Australia & New Zealand, Fiction » Holiday » Adventure
Arriving in legendary Gundagai, Dr Louis Gabriel is fired with hope and ambition. But he is new, black and overqualified, so will he be top or bottom of the social ladder? Will he ever belong? His struggles, loves and dilemmas climax with Australian Federation, a difficult romance, control of the hospital and the murderous Boer War. A fictional biography celebrating the human spirit.