My World Cup blog: tonywilsonsworldcup.blogspot.com

I'm at the World Cup in Germany from June 10th to the night of the final on July 9th. I'll be writing a book about the tournament that will be released by Geoff Slattery Publications in November.

Unsatisfactory working titles for the book include:
'Germany 06 - Our Turn to Invade',
'Ich Bin Ein Football Fan',
'Checkpoint Charlie Yankos and Other Stories' and
'The Fans Sang Waltzing Matilda'

If you have a good title suggestion, I'd love an email.
Free signed copy if your suggestion gets up.

Sydney Morning Herald article

Last Friday, I was announced as a Sydney Morning Herald 2006 Best Young Australian Novelist. I have to say ‘a Best Young Australian Novelist’, because to say ‘the Best Young Australian Novelist’ would be unfair to other three novelists with whom I shared the award. It’s only when I’m on my own and unlikely to be caught that I’ll break from the group hug and plonk myself squarely on top of the podium. To the other three who shared the award – Stephanie Bishop, Leigh Redhead and Markus Zusak – feel free to be equally extravagant with your emphasis on the word ‘best’.

To be eligible for the award, an author had to have written a novel in the last twelve months and be under the age of 35. Thank you to all the friends and family who have contacted me to express their surprise that I was still 33. Nice to know I’m wearing well.

The judges (Susan Wyndam and Catherine Keenaan from the SMH, and crime novelist Kerry Greenwood) offered the following comment on ‘Players’

‘Wilson brings vividly to life the blokey worlds of AFL football and TV sports shows. His writing is very Australian, full of black humour, irony and surprises. As three women with no interest in football, we found Players compelling and entertaining.’

The Winning Books were:

Stephanie Bishop The Singing	Leigh Redhead Rubdown	Markus Zusak The Book Thief	Tony Wilson Players

The award is a certificate, tied up in a white Syndey Morning Herald ribbon, which I accused the good staff at the Sydney Intercontinental of binning in their cleanup of room 1709. It turned out you were right. it was in my bag when I got home. Sorry.