Written by Administrator | 08 February 2012

R. J. Timmis To Publish Second Novel, One Of Five Hand-Picked Manuscripts From Over 300 Entries In The 2011 Text Prize

Logan author and artist R.J. Timmis will launch her second novel for young adults, ‘The Brothers of Turoc’ at Alexander Clark Park in Loganholme on Saturday February 18, 2012. One of five books short-listed for the 2011 Text Prize from over 300 entrants, ‘The Brothers of Turoc’ is a daunting tale of two child slaves who must escape the hellish bowels of the mines they work in order to survive. Uncompromisingly honest, this gritty tale holds nothing back as it explores hard-hitting subjects like child slavery and child soldiers; subjects still frighteningly real even in today’s world.

While the book is set some thousands of years ago, the author reveals she drew heavily on research conducted into modern child slavery and warfare while writing. “Some of the cases I read about were abhorrent; millions of children across the world continue to be torn from their families to work eighteen-hour days, most at risk from disease, violence and extremely dangerous working conditions,” the author says. “Children are beaten when they don’t work hard enough, and for many, school is not even an option.”

She says she held nothing back when writing the manuscript. “It’s quite confronting in places. Ultimately, however, it is not a ‘blood and guts’ story; it is a tale of hope and brotherhood.” In a bid to mirror that hope, $5 from every book sold at the book launch will be donated to Amnesty International, the renowned non-profit organisation who fight for basic human rights across the world.

R.J. Timmis (real name Rebecca) in an emerging talent with one title already published; the 29-year-old is the author of ‘David and the Heart of Aurasius’, the first book in the children’s fantasy series, ‘The World of Esmorde’. An advocate of the children’s literature industry, she is a founding volunteer of the CYA Conference for writers and illustrators, held in Brisbane each September. Her third book, ‘David and the Scavenger Prince’, will be released in July 2012.

#     #     #

If you would like more information on this topic, or to schedule an interview with Rebecca Timmis, please call Rebecca on 0418 739 835 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it