WELCOME TO CLANCY TUCKER'S WEBSITE
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 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.
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.
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
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."
'Nam Tok' (c) (Thai word for waterfall) - an Aussie's involvement in the Asian Tsunami - 26th December 2004.
Clancy's comment: "Asia - my greatest love. This is a story of bravery in Thailand during a massive disaster."
'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."
"Books are cool. They take you away to awesome places."
Clancy Tucker
