Rusty Young, author of the international bestselling book Marching Powder, is set to visit Margaret River to talk about his latest book Colombiano as an out-of-season fundraising event for the Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival, to be held at the Cultural Centre on Wednesday 9 August at 6.30pm.
When law-graduate Rusty Young was backpacking through South America, fate drew him to Bolivia. After a visit to the notorious San Pedro Prison where he met and befriended the charismatic drug-smuggler Thomas McFadden, he remained in Bolivia to write Thomas’ story – a book that became the worldwide bestseller Marching Powder.
Blending fact and fiction, Rusty Young’s second book Colombiano takes us on a heart-thumping journey into the violent and unpredictable world of post-Escobar Colombia. For seven years Rusty Young lived and worked in Colombia, interviewing special forces soldiers, snipers, undercover intelligence agents and members of two vicious terrorist organisations – the FARC and Autodefensas. During this time he was both shocked and touched by the stories of child soldiers he encountered. He vowed to one day turn their tales into a book and let their voices be heard. Colombiano is due to be released at the end of July and Rusty Young will join us here at the Margaret River Cultural Centre to talk about his writing and his latest book.
Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival Director Tanya Perdue encouraged the community to come along to meet Rusty as he reveals the stories behind his latest gripping book. “Those of you who have read Marching Powder or who have a fascination with South America simply can’t miss this event,” she said. “Rusty’s first book is extremely well-read and I’m sure a lot of people will be keen to hear him talk about his latest book in our first out-of-season event following on from this year’s festival.”
“Bring your friends, get your hands on a copy of Colombiano and meet the author. It will be a fascinating night out and a once in a lifetime chance to ask questions about Rusty’s life and writing,” she said.
Tickets to Rusty Young’s Author Talk are $10 with funds going towards the 2018 Readers & Writers Festival. Drinks will be available for purchase. Tickets available from www.mrrwfestival.com/whats-on, by phone 08 9758 7316 or in person at the Margaret River Cultural Centre Box Office, 51 Wallcliffe Road, Margaret River.
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