'I just happen to be an author'

 

“My job is essentially that of an entertainer, no different to that of a musician, no different to that of an actor. I just happen to be an author.” – Bryce Courtenay 

Courtenay was born this date in 1933 and became one of Australia's best-selling authors, although most of his fame came from his South African-based book The Power of One.   Published in 1989 and  - despite Courtenay's fears that it would never sell - The Power of One quickly became one of Australia's best-selling books by any living author. The story also was released as a film and in a children's edition.

The author of 23 books, Courtenay was a career advertising director and helped build his own success by developing a relationship with readers as much as by marketing his books.  For instance, he gave away up to 2,500 books each year to readers he met in the street.

  

Courtenay, who died in 2012, wrote many his works from first person narrative allowing the reader to put himself or herself into the lead role.  “I like to share my thoughts and perspectives,” he said.  “And remember, the only thing that's authentic about what a writer writes is his work.  Everything else belongs to us all.”