Canterbury author Jannali Jones eyes success with edgy debut novel

Jannali Jones wants the main character in her edgy debut novel, My Father’s Shadow to ‘challenge stereotypes about Aboriginal people.’

Canterbury‘s Jannali Jones has published her debut novel, My Father’s Shadow. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

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Canterbury lawyer Jannali Jones has used aspects of her life in her thrilling debut novel, My Father’s Shadow, which hits the shelves on August 1.

Mrs Jones said the book relates the story of 17-year-old Kaya who, while completing her HSC, has to deal with the disappearance of her father.

Mrs Jones has used her own experiences with trauma and PTSD to in this book but said the main character is not based on anyone.

“It took me about an year to finish and this is a dream come true,” Mrs Jones, a Krowathunkoolong woman of the Gunai nation, said.

Jannali Jones: this is a dream come. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

“I published the book after going through a fellowship.

“I am very excited about the book which I drew from my experiences.

“I lived in the Adelaide Hills when I was a child and I also visited Mount Wilson.

“That really helped to bring the setting to life.

“Parts of Kaya are also based on my own experience, such as things that happened to her at school.

“The background story of Kaya’s father is also inspired by real life events I’d heard about.”

The 2015 winner of the black & write! Fellowship, has been writing when she was 12.

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Growing up, she used her time when she was ill to dream up stories and writing them down.

Her wonderful imagination and love for prose has turned her into a writer who won the Magabala’s Australian indigenous Creator Scholarship.

“Kaya can be a bit cheeky sometimes, and I like how she still has a sense of humour despite what she’s been through in life,” Mrs Jones said about her character in the book.

“I also think her representation as a young Aboriginal girl is important, and I hope that helps challenge stereotypes about Aboriginal people.”

Mrs Jones holds a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Technology, Sydney.

Her short stories and poetry have been published in literary journals in Australia and overseas, including Overland, Southerly, the Review of Australian Fiction and Westerly.