Clancy Tucker - author, photographer and sometime poet.

 

WELCOME TO CLANCY TUCKER'S WEBSITE

*** LATEST NEWS! ***

JUST RELEASED!

'LOVE YA WORK!'

This is a collection of Clancy’s short stories, bush poetry and anecdotes from a ‘Life on the run’. Many of the stories are based on true-life. So, get in, buckle up and hold on. This book will make you laugh and cry.

 

'IRISH GOLD'

A story about the Irish on the Australian goldfields in the 1850's - their lives, problems and successes.

BLURB FOR 'IRISH GOLD'

 

Pat Toomey’s violent father dies, leaving Pat, his mother and four sisters in the Port Phillip District of Australia during the 1850’s gold rush. Pat and best friend, Seamus, are offered a job by Irishman, Michael Macevoy; to transport supplies to miners in Ballarat. They take the job, and Macevoy becomes a regular caller at the Toomey’s home. The boys meet many people who know their boss, and it intrigues them. They also save a Chinese family from a dangerous bushranger, Jack Lawrie, and meet another wanted bushranger, Martin Riley – Michael Macevoy’s best mate.

 

Jack Lawrie escapes and seeks revenge, surprising the boys one evening, but Martin Riley appears from the dark and seriously maims Lawrie. Whilst transporting Lawrie to Castlemaine, troopers appear, notice Riley, and a chase ensues. Shots are fired and Riley is injured, but Seamus mounts Riley’s horse and rides away. Lawrie and Pat are in custody, a trooper has been shot, and Riley is still free, but Michael Macevoy arrives and Pat is released. That night, Martin Riley dies.

 

The boys deliver a shattered Macevoy to Pat’s mother’s home, and they step up to run Macevoy’s Transport when Michael enters a period of deep depression. The boys work hard, employ staff, and expand the business to the Bendigo goldfields. Will Michael Macevoy overcome his depression? Why does Michael know so many people?

 

 

 'BOLD JOURNEY'

A story dedicated to migrants who made the ultimate sacrifice to leave their homeland and begin a new life in Australia.

BLURB FOR 'BOLD JOURNEY'

 

When Severino Agnelli and his family migrate to Australia from Italy in 1954, his son, ‘Fozzie’, meets a beautiful girl, ‘Cat’ Ginelli, on the ship, and they become friends. The Agnelli and Ginelli families love Australia, work hard and forge friendships. Cat becomes a nurse and Fozzie a journalist, but tragedy strikes when Fozzie’s brother is killed in the Vietnam War, and Fozzie spirals into depression when his dad dies. Cat pleads with him to write the book he’s wanted to write – ‘Bold Journey’.

 

Fozzie flies to London, writes his book, and travels to Italy where he sees Cat interviewed on television, working as a nurse during a famine in Ethiopia. Inspired by Cat, Fozzie heads to Ethiopia to report on the famine, and his passionate reports are syndicated worldwide. Cat is unavailable, but Fozzie leaves a crucifix with her colleague; one Cat made for him in 1954. Returning to London to fight for the Ethiopians, he is hospitalised with meningitis, and Cat flies from Italy to keep a secret vigil by his bedside. Fozzie recovers, and Cat leaves London to get on with her life.

 

Attending an International Awards ceremony, Fozzie is stunned to win an award for Humanitarian Journalism. Minutes later, Cat is awarded an honour for Exceptional Courage. Will Cat accept her award? Will she and Fozzie finally meet up? Who nominated them for their awards?

'KICK-ASS' TYLER

A novella about abduction, friendship, teamwork,

and determination to succeed when the odds are stacked against you.

BLURB FOR

'KICK-ASS' TYLER

Sam Tyler is a feisty 14 year-old girl who lives in a seaside town, and becomes rebellious after the death of her father. Her mother has remarried and Sam conflicts with her stepfather, Max. When a classmate, Zoran Cepnic, is abducted, Sam forms a committee to find him, and the entire school is fired-up to help. Her stepfather helps Sam and their relationship blossoms.

 

Sam does some investigations of her own, wags school to visit Zoran’s parents, and sneaks out at night and finds Zoran’s watch at a bus stop where he was abducted. Excited, Sam rings the police and forms a good friendship with the leading detective.

 

Sam is interviewed on national television by a famous broadcaster, Martha Benson. The same day, she is approached by a weird guy on the beach. The next evening, she is also abducted and ends up in an isolated farmhouse with Zoran. He’s alive! Sam and Zoran attempt to escape by removing floorboards, but are stopped by their abductor. Will they escape? How will the police find them?  

 

 

'MISTER RAINBOW'

A novella about the environment,

fishing and returned soldiers

Blurb for

"Mister Rainbow"

 

 Maddie and Toby love fishing, and live in a small mill town where people are dying from ‘Mill Flu’.  Keen to catch the biggest rainbow trout ever, ‘Mister Rainbow’, they disobey orders, fish in the ‘Big Pool’ and find a recluse living in a shack in the bush. Maddie falls into the big pool and almost drowns, but is saved by the recluse. Maddie becomes ill, but Toby continues to fish and finds people pumping toxic waste into the Rainbow River. He contacts the Environment Protection Authority and the police, and investigations begin.

 

Toby learns that the old recluse is Colonel Bolt, a former soldier who was highly-decorated during the Vietnam War, and an amazing artist who sketches pictures of his war memories. The colonel collapses near his shack, Toby finds him and arranges his transport to hospital. Finding two war medals in his shack, Toby e-mails the army and tells them of the colonel’s plight. Will the army respond? 

 

Maddie and Toby enter one of Colonel Bolt’s sketches in an art competition, selling Mister Rainbow’s Magic Bait at a local market to earn the entry fee. Then, Toby goes missing. Desperate to find her fishing partner, Maddie calls Colonel Bolt for help. Will they find Toby alive? Will the colonel win a prize in the art competition, and will they catch Mister Rainbow?

'SHEEZA'

A novella about disabilities,

loyalty and courage

KY!

Award-winning novella about modern bullying!

105 PAGES OF ACTION

Suitable for all school-age kids - and their parents

'Highly Commended' in the FAW, Jim Hamilton Award,

2006 National Literary Awards

Rida Khalid is a Muslim refugee from Iran. She is bullied by two girls at school for wearing a hijab (Muslim headscarf), reading books and wearing glasses, and seeks refuge in an old man’s garden after school. Rida meets an Asian girl at school, Ky, who also loves books, but Rida soon dumps her for a gawky girl, Carmen, who teaches her about fitting in. To be accepted, Rida removes her hijab at school, but she must wear her headscarf whilst competing in the inter-school sports. Her family will attend.

 

     Rida deliberately loses the first race because Carmen says, “Only nerds do well in sports”. The sports master berates Rida for losing the race and points to Ky who’s made an extraordinary effort to get out of hospital to watch her run. Ky is battling leukaemia. Rida wins the next two races and gives her winning ribbons to Ky for good luck.

 

     Rida enters the State Athletics Championships, but two athletics clubs lodge an objection to her hijab. Rida is shocked when a retired Queens Counsel (QC) represents her at the Equal Opportunity Commission. Who is he? Will Rida win the case? Will she run in the State Championships?  Will Ky beat leukaemia, and who owns the garden that Rida has used as a sanctuary?

 

   

AVAILABLE AS A SIGNED PAPERBACK

WITH MATCHING BOOKMARK, AND AS AN E-BOOK

PAPERBACK

SMASHWORDS

AMAZON

AT LAST!

THE SEQUEL TO 'GUNNEDAH HERO' HAS BEEN PUBLISHED.

However, I strongly recommend that you

read 'Gunnedah Hero' before you read this book!

'A DROVER'S BLANKET'

Fifteen-year-old Gunnedah ‘Gunnie’Danson begins work at Wiralee Station,

a cattle station owned by his family since 1848 and one made famous by his

great-great-grandfather, Smokey ‘Gun’ Danson. 

Gunnie attends a clearing sale at Swenson Station where his great-great-grandmother, Molly,was born.

He finds a journal she wrotein 1910 called ‘A Drover’s Blanket’,

discovers a mare that’s directly related toMolly’s original horse, Dusty, and meets Molly’s brother, Artie Swenson.

 

A foal, the old mare, the journal and a famous painting, ‘The Wiralee Queen’, is stolen and

Gunnie is shattered. Jenni Danson, a relative ofSmokey’s best mate, Magic Billie, is missing in

Queensland and Gunnie’s uncle,Wirra, is diagnosed with a tumor.

 

Nothing but bad luck has happened since Gunnie arrived at Wiralee and he spirals into depression.

Will he stay at Wiralee Station?

Will Wirra be okay?

Will they find Jenni alive during the monsoon season?

AVAILABLE AS

PAPERBACK OR E-BOOK!

CLICK BELOW TO BUY PAPERBACK

A DROVER'S BLANKET

Click on links below for e-Books:

AMAZON

SMASHWORDS

MORRIS PUBLISHING AUSTRALIA

"Hoei, Boo! With ‘Pa Joe’s Place’, Clancy Tucker has created an extraordinary piece of writing. From the first page, I fell in love with little Boo’s unpretentious yet endearing character, as will every reader, whether young or young at heart. Wherever Boo goes, she touches people in a special way. Told from a child’s perspective, the story doesn’t have much of a plot, but what Clancy Tucker offers will tug at every reader’s heartstrings, which more than makes up for that small deficiency. The novel has superb writing with excellent narrative and dialogue; a jewel. This book can be read more than once, revealing flashes of pleasure that may have been missed before.

 ‘Pa Joe’s Place’ also plunges the reader into aspects of Thai culture and the harsh life of its people struggling to survive in an environment tourists perceive as idyllic. Given this glimpse, the reader will be tempted to visit Songkhla for himself and see that land through Boo’s eyes. The ending is sure to leave the reader tearful. This is a story no one will forget soon.

I enjoyed reading this book immensely; a pleasure to come across such a work, having reviewed some very ordinary efforts."

 Stefan Vucak

http://stefanvucak.com/

GREAT BOOK REVIEWS ON AMAZON.COM

'GUNNEDAH HERO'

Winner of two awards in the

Australian National Literary Awards: 2007 & 2011

"Gunnedah Hero" by Clancy Tucker is a great historic read about a young fourteen year old boy discovering the family history by means of old documents, left to him by his grandfather.
Gunnedah Danson reads the diary from 1910, a time when his great-great-grandfather looked after a large herd of cattle at a time of a most serious drought.

That story is written with excellent attention to detail and it gives great insight into farming and herding of the times and is written with a great narrative and manages to hold the attention easily.
The story of the past consumes Gunnedah but the story is more complex than this. He reads all this while staying at a family cattle station where problems of their own occur.

This is a great and insightful read for all who love history. I found it particularly rewarding because it covers a place and an era I knew little about. The two heroes are both very likeable and their stories are very intriguing.

The book seems aimed at younger readers but has lots for adults like myself. A well rounded and very enjoyable read.”

Review by Christoph Fischer

 

“Smokey Danson was a legend in his own time. Known as the Gunnedah Hero, Smokey was given the impressive moniker as a young boy while driving a herd of cattle up the long `paddock,' in the early 1900s.

Clancy Tucker deftly tells the tale of the Gunnedah Hero through the eyes of another young boy living in the present day. Gunnedah `Gunnie' Danson is the 14 yr old great great grandson of Smokey Danson. Gunnie has been given a school assignment to write about drought and its effect on farmers and local economy. Returning home from school one day, he is given a gift from his Grandfather. The gift is a manuscript and an envelope, which cannot be opened until Gunnie reads the adventure that his great-great-grandfather had back in 1911 during the Australian drought.

Join Gunnie as reads the story and travels with his great-great-Grandfather up the long paddock with his herd of cattle. You will learn how Smokey managed to survive the wilderness while taking care of the cattle with only the help of three dedicated dogs. Finally, you will learn how Smokey became known as the Gunnedah Hero, and how an envelope from the past, delivered to a young boy in the present, will change the future of the Gunnedah Hero's descendents.

Clancy Tucker weaves a wonderful story that will introduce young boys here in the US to a life lived in Australia at the turn of the last century. Clancy includes a glossary of Aussie terms which many here in the states will not be familiar with, but what fun to be introduced to something so very new and different. This book should not be missed. I highly recommend it.”

Review by J E Rogers USA

 

“Gunnedah Hero was an enjoyable read, could read the whole book in one sitting as there was a desire to know what happened each day in the life of Gunnie. Shame the story didn't go further, would have like to read more of the great-grandfather's life and also into the current period but I guess that is a sign of a good book, I wanted more.”

 

Review by VJP

 

Great book review - ‘Daily Telegraph’,
Thursday 21 February 2013.

 

'Gunnedah Hero'

Clancy Tucker, Clancy Tucker Publishing,

THE cover says this book is aimed at the young adult market, but your mature adult reviewer found it an eminently enjoyable read. The story involves 14-year-old ‘‘Gunnie’’ Danson reading a manuscript written by his great great-grandfather ‘‘Smokey’’ Danson who, also aged 14, set out on a droving adventure during the 1910 drought. With two horses and three dogs, Smokey drove 100 cattle across northern NSW, from Coonabarabran to Armidale, becoming involved in many adventures in the ‘‘long paddock’’ while camping under the ‘‘drover’s blanket’’ (the Milky Way).

 

One of those adventures — solving an old murder case — resulted in Smokey being named the ‘‘Gunnedah Hero’’. While Smokey’s main adventure involved saving the family property, Wiralee Station, by keeping the breeding stock alive during drought, Gunnie also saves the day for Wiralee in the present. The author cleverly weaves the bush atmosphere and vernacular of pre-World War I Australia and provides a glossary of terms. See http://clancytucker.com.au   for where to buy the book.

Graham Croker

*Check out my YouTube videos*

Don't forget to check my daily blog. It contains writing tips for aspiring / emerging writers and guest authors from around the world. Send me an email if you wish to subscribe:

http://clancytucker.blogspot.com.au/

LinkedIn Profile:

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/clancy-tucker/42/72/156

 

*** News! ***

 'Gunnedah Hero' has been 'Commended' in the FAW Christina Stead Award - 2011 National Literary Awards. Twice now, this great story has been acknowledged by the National Literary Awards. It was 'Highly Commended' in the FAW Jim Hamilton Award - 2007 National Literary Awards as an unpublished manuscript.

'Gunnedah Hero' is available as a paperback and e-Book. Contact me via  clancy_tucker@hotmail.com to purchase a signed copy of the paperback and a matching bookmark for $23.50, including postage and handling within Australia. The e-Book can be purchased from Morris Publishing Australia for $5.20.

www.morrispublishingaustralia.com

 

Here is the blurb on the back of the book:

 "Fourteen-year-old Gunnedah 'Gunnie' Danson has a 500-word  assignment on drought. His late grandfather has left him a box containing a manuscript and several other documents in his will. The manuscript has been written by Gunnie's great-great-grandfather, Smokey 'Gun' Danson, after his journey up the long paddock during a harsh drought as a fourteen-year-old drover in 1910. At the back of the manuscript is an envelope. It's NOT to be opened until Gunnie has read the entire story. Gunnie spends the weekend at Wiralee Station; a cattle station that's been in the family since 1848. There, he reads the awesome manuscript and learns of Smokey's adventurous journey. During the weekend Gunnie hears several secretive conversations. His snobby Aunty Kate wants to divorce his uncle and sell Wiralee Station. Excited, he finishes the manuscript and opens the mysterious envelope. Will it prevent his aunt from selling Wiralee?"

 

AUTHOR'S BIOGRAPHY  

     Clancy Tucker writes young adult fiction for reluctant readers but has also achieved success as a poet and photographer. He has lived in four countries, speaks three languages, has photography accepted and published in books in the USA (Innocent Dreams, Endless Journeys & A Trip Down Memory Lane), photographic work registered with the International Library of Photography, published in literary magazines and has written more than 90 short stories.

     Clancy’s been short-listed and highly commended in writing contests: 2006 , 2007 & 2011 National Literary Awards, Raspberry & Vine (twice), Positive words, Australian Writers On-Line, Shaggy Sheep Tale, The Cancer Council (2005 & 2009) and had ten short stories published in literary magazines (Page Seventeen, Branching Out & Positive Words), newspapers (The Standard, Mountain Views & The Advocate), written articles for Kid Magazine in the USA and has won a poetry prize to name a life-size statue designed by renowned Belgian sculptor, Bruno Torfs. In 2010, Clancy was awarded a two-week NEEF (National Education & Employment Foundation)Mentorship Program conducted at Stonnington Libraries in Melbourne. Clancy is now a full time writer but has enjoyed interesting life experiences, including work as a speechwriter, public servant, fulltime union official, farmer, truck driver and small business operator. He has worked with street kids and draws on life’s experiences to write entertaining stories for young adults.

 

    The toughest judges of his work, other than publishers, are his fourteen readers - kids aged from 8 - 17, some of them previously reluctant readers. Most are girls, more than half of them come from broken homes and all have a diverse background -  Muslim, Aboriginal and Christian. Clancy's young readers read his manuscripts, complete a simple questionnaire and rate the story out of 10. At the very top of the questionnaire are two bold words: BE HONEST! Clancy values their opinions. Why not? They are his clients; the ones who will hopefully purchase and read his books. Below, you will see some of the comments they've made on their questionnaires.

   

Manuscripts completed:

'Gunnedah Hero' (c) - Smokey Danson's journey up the 'long paddock' - drought in 1910.

* 'Highly Commended' as an unpublished manuscript in the FAW Jim Hamilton Award - 2007 National Literary Awards.

* 'Commended' in the FAW Christina Stead Award - 2011 National Literary Awards.

Comment by reader 'COCT' : "Your stories are always great because they have great

beginnings, excellent middles and the best endings." Rating: 10

Comment by reader 'M': "The start captured me. The end made me cry and the middle amazed me." Rating: 8

Comment by reader 'GP': "Bloody sensational. Started reading at 8.30am and finished it

at 11.25 pm. I could smell the gumleaves." Rating: 10

'A Drover's Blanket' (c) - sequel to 'Gunnedah Hero' (c).

Comment by reader 'R': "Love ya work!!" Rating: 10

'Bold Journey' (c) - an Italian migrant's journey to Australia.

Comment by reader 'S': "I loved the awesome ending - didn't expect it." Rating: 8

'Irish Gold' (c) - a story about bushrangers & Irish immigrants.

Comment by reader 'B': "I've enjoyed all your stories so far. Most of them are different.

Clancy, please try to use double-sided paper to save trees. (smile)" Rating: 10

'Sam 'Kick Ass' Tucker' (c) - Sam Tucker's kidnapping.

Comment by reader 'P': "When she escaped it was fantastic. I liked everything. Hated nothing.

It would make an awesome movie." Rating: 10

'That Sucks' (c) - Sam Tucker's exploits at university.

Comment by reader 'R': "The story moves too quickly to get bored -

plenty of twists and turns." Rating: 10

'Streetwise' (c) - Sam Tucker as a barrister.

Comment by reader 'R': "Yeeeeees!" Rating: 12

'The Master Drover' (c) - Smokey 'Gun' Danson's story.

Comment by reader 'T': 'Smokey is an awesome guy - just like my Pop." Rating: 50 plus! 

'Queen of Wiralee' (c) - Molly Jane Swenson's story - wife of Smokey.

Comment by reader 'J': "Molly's father was a mean mongrel. I cried and cried sometimes.

But, Molly was fantastic and deserved to have a great guy like Smokey. Love him." Rating: 15

'Mister Rainbow' (c) - a fishing / environmental story.

Comment by reader 'B': "I couldn't put it down. Great book!" Rating: 9.5

'Just Lucky' (c) - a story about disabilities. If you're not born with one,

you'll probably pick one up along the way ... but how will you cope?

Comment by reader 'COCT': "A lot of people would like this story. It would teach people that

even if you have a disability, it doesn't mean you're not as good or capable of doing things as anyone else is. 

Your stories always end with the title as the very last words and I think that's really cool." Rating: 10 

'Ky!' (c) - Rida, a Muslim girl who is bullied.

* Highly Commended' in the FAW Jim Hamilton Award -

2006 National Literary Awards.

Comment by reader 'M': "I absolutely love your stories. They're very interesting." Rating: 11

 'Sheeza' (c) - a courageous Australian sheep dog.

Comment by reader 'MM': "This is the best story I have read so far. It has so much suspense and

excitement in it I could hardly put it down. I felt I was in the actual story nearly the whole time." Rating: 10

'A Free Spirit' (c) - Anecdotes from Clancy's life on the run.

Clancy's comment: "This will make you laugh and cry. It is full of true anecdotes about my friends

and my experiences with the great unwashed - the poorest, humblest people I've ever met."

'Pa Joe's Place' (c) - Based on a true story of a seven-year-old girl I met in Thailand in 1973.This is the story of extraordinary bravery during a natural disaster - a tsunami.

Manuscripts in progess:

'Whoosh!' (c) - a story about the 'Black Saturday' bushfires - 7th February 2009.

Clancy's comment: "This is dedicated to those who lost their lives in Marysville,

a town devastated in the bushfires and a town in which I lived, fished and photographed for ten years."

'Magic Billie' (c) - book three in the Gunnedah Hero series

 

"Books are cool. They take you away to awesome places."

Clancy Tucker 

clancy_tucker@hotmail.com

http://clancytucker.blogspot.com.au/