IT’S not every day that you log on to the website of the world’s biggest book retailer and find your book in the top five for its category ahead of one written by a well-known TV personality.
But, that’s exactly what confronted local author Alistair McGuinness when he signed in to Amazon a couple of months ago to discover the kindle edition of his debut book Round the Bend had overtaken Bear Grylls’ book Mud, Sweat and Tears in its category.
Mr McGuinness said his book was an adventure travel story and he was delighted to become an “Amazon best seller”.
“In July for a few days I overtook Bear Grylls and I have a screenshot to prove it,” he said.
He said the book details the adventure he had after he left England with his wife Fran to travel through South America and Africa without any idea where their journey would take them
“During our travels around the globe I kept travel diaries but I did nothing with them but, years later when my dad passed away I realised that his tales of life on the high seas as a merchant seaman were gone forever.”
It was this that inspired Mr McGuinness to write about his own travels to preserve them for posterity.
“Our worldwide trip was an amazing experience and after my dad died, I decided to hunt out the diaries and capture the story for our children Noah and Seby.
“Storytelling runs in my family. My great uncles were Seanachaís [Irish storytellers] and as a child I always enjoyed listening to their animated tales about rural like in Donegal.
“I am proud of their talents and felt it was time for someone in the family to write a story instead of telling one.”
However, he never imagine how interested others would be in his story though and after the book was picked up by Amazon he watched excitedly as it slowly climbed up the list in the adventure and travel guide category.
“I had been watching the books progress over a few days it crept into the Top 100, then 50 and finally peaked at number five towards the end of July,” Mr McGuinness said.
“It was very exciting. My two young boys were mildly impressed that I was higher ranked than Bear Grylls.”
Mr McGuinness, whose book is now available in local bookshops as well as on Amazon, had a few words of encouragement for other budding authors in the Busselton and Dunsborough region.
“We all lead busy lives these days and if you have a yearning to write, then follow your dream.
“As many coffee shop owners in town will verify, I take every opportunity to spend at least 30 minutes a day writing. It could be before I travel to work, during my lunch or on the way home.
“The key is to keep writing and use professional help with editing and book cover design,” he said.
Here’s is an excerpt from the book which takes place on the slopes of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
As the sun slipped behind the dormant volcano of Mount Meru, our guide appeared from the scrub and asked, “What can you see, Mr Alistair?”
I took a deep breath, swallowing the cool crisp air as my eyes adjusted to the fading light. Dusk had crept silently across East Africa.
The vast plains were plunging into darkness, but far below a few lights flickered, revealing the location of Machame village.
Thin streaks of cloud, almost transparent, trailed across the night sky. A faint tinge of copper clung to their outer edges.
“Well, I can see your village in the valley and small clouds in the sky. Plus I can see Kilimanjaro.”
“Yes, of course. Everyone looks at Kilimanjaro and yes, that is my beautiful village. But clouds I do not see. They, Mr Alistair are small bubbles that will soon float away. Tonight there will be no clouds and do you know what that means?”
“Lots of stars.”
“Yes, bwana. Many stars, but I think you will be too cold to watch them. Tonight it will be minus fifteen degrees. Maybe even minus twenty,” he chuckled.
“I hope you and wifey have thermals. Good night, bwana.”
As he ambled back to his tent, I ran back to ours.
