What Country do you write on? Who are the Custodians/Traditional Owners of the land where you live/work?

Aaron: I would like to acknowledge the Gimuy Walubara and Yirrganydji nations and their Elders – past, present and emerging. Theirs is the land on which I was born and where I live (Cairns). I would also like to acknowledge the surrounding nations of the Djabugay, Gunggandji, Kuku Yalanji and Mamu and their Elders – past, present and emerging.

I acknowledge the Gudang Yadakenu, Angamuthi and Athambaya nations of the Northern Peninsula Area and their Elders – past, present and emerging. As well, I would like to acknowledge the Meriam, Kulkalgal, Kaiwalagalgal, Maluilgal and Guda Maluilgal nations of the Torres Strait region and their Elders – past, present and emerging. It is also important for me to acknowledge the seven clans of Saibai and their Elders – past, present and emerging – and my own direct buway of Samu and Saibai Koedal, and acknowledge my Elders – past, present and emerging. Finally, I would like to acknowledge my Tongan lineage of Ha’apai and Nuku’alofa and my Elders – past, present and emerging.

Michelle: The bulk of my work on this book took place on Dja Dja Wurrung Country (in central Victoria). I recognise that the sovereignty of that Country was never ceded. I express my respect for the Dja Dja Wurrung people, who are the Traditional Owners of that land, and I recognise their living cultures and their ongoing connection to Country. I pay my respects to their leaders and Elders, past and present, for they hold forever the memories, traditions, culture and hopes of their people. I express my gratitude for the sharing of this land; my sorrow for the personal, spiritual and cultural costs of that sharing; and my hope that we can walk forward together in the spirit of reconciliation.

When did you first admit that you were a writer?

Aaron still describes himself as a reluctant writer, and Michelle probably didn’t feel confident enough to call herself a writer until she had a publishing contract for her first book.

What was your favourite book as a child?

Aaron: Charlotte’s Web.

Michelle: Anything with ponies in it. Or magic. Or magical ponies.

What inspired you to write this book?

Aaron: I wanted to use my story as a way of talking about truth-telling, and as a way of talking about the Torres Strait Islander community. As a minority within a minority, Torres Strait Islander stories are regularly left out of the national conversation.

One thing I’ve learnt is that if you tell the truth, it remains in your past. Tell a lie, and it’s always going to haunt your future. And I have enough ghosts in my life already.

Why do you think listeners should read your book?

Mainly because it’s a cracker of a read, an absolute page-turner. But also because they might learn something about what it is to be a black man – a successful black man who has had many failures along the way – in the twenty-first century. And if they learn a little about the Torres Strait along the way, even better.

Is there a message in your book? 

Aaron: This is a story from the heart, from my heart, and my heart belongs to the Torres Strait region. My people there are warriors, that’s for sure, but we are storytellers too. I want people to know about where I’m from, about my culture, my people, my community. I also want people to know that this is why I’m like I am. The experiences I’ve had, the decisions I’ve made, the people I’ve rolled with – all of this has forged me into the person I am today. Although I’ve fallen on my face again and again, somehow I’ve always got back on my feet – probably through the example of the incredible women who raised me. Maybe I look like a big, dumb bruiser but that’s another stereotype, another trap for people to fall into. I’m more complex than that; everyone is more complex than they seem.

What words of advice would you give an aspiring author?

Aaron: Just do it, have a go. You don’t have to have a big S on your chest and a cape to do important things. You can simply be the person that turns up – they’re the ones who make a difference.

Michelle: You don’t necessarily have to write about what you know. For me, it’s been far more interesting to write towards what I want to know.