What's it like writing in the wasteland?

Best-selling author Sean Williams has already fulfilled his dream of reaching the stars, so he has no real interest in leaving home for good.

The Adelaide-based science fiction and fantasy author has 16 published novels, including the Books of the Change and The Resurrected Man, and 60 short stories. With collaborator Shane Dix he produced the Evergence and Orphans trilogies and co-wrote three books in the Star Wars: New Jedi Order series.

A multiple recipient of both the Ditmar & Aurealis Awards, Williams has even made the New York Times best-seller list - qualifying him as a national and international success. But that won't tempt him to move away from Adelaide.

"Adelaide is the perfect place to be a writer: it's cheap; the food and wine are great; and the pace is easy," Williams told the Adelaidean.

"We were the first state with a Writers' Centre (of which Williams has been a past Chair), which is still going strong. And with cheap plane fares and the internet, we're not missing out on much, professionally.

"What I save in rent more than covers the odd trip to Sydney (or even NY) to talk to my editors," he said.

This month, Williams will give a public talk on fantasy landscapes and Adelaide, and why Adelaide seems to have spawned so many fantasy writers. The talk, to be given at the Barr Smith Library on Thursday, August 26, is part of the Author and Scholar events series for the Friends of the University of Adelaide Library chapter.

Williams has a long association with the University of Adelaide. He began studying economics at Adelaide but eventually realised it was not for him, instead turning to writing. He's now considering studies in creative writing.

Despite not finishing his first degree, Williams said he loved the culture of the university, "and my memories of those times are good".

"I did a lot of growing up on the university grounds (and I don't mean the obvious: sex and drugs). I made some great friends and learned lots of lessons. That's what it's all about, isn't it?"

Williams is currently working on a new fantasy series, the Books of the Cataclysm, and Geodesica, a space opera diptych.

www.seanwilliams.com.au

Friends of the University of Adelaide Library Chapter

Author and Scholar events series

"Writing in the Waste Land" - Sean Williams (New York Times best-selling South Australian speculative fiction author)

Date: Thursday, August 26
Time: 6 for 6.30pm
Venue: Ira Raymond Exhibition Room Barr Smith Library
RSVP: by Monday, August 23 to Patricia Hawke phone 8303 4064 or email: patricia.hawke@adelaide.edu.au