Jo Braithwaite, local resident, and author of Black Randall recently won the gold medal for the Australia/New Zealand category of the IPPY awards.
The IPPY awards (Independent Publisher Book Awards) are open to independent authors and publishers worldwide who produce books intended for an English-speaking audience.
They are intended to reward those who exhibit the courage, innovation, and creativity to bring about change in the world of publishing.
Black Randall, the winning novel, is a book of historical fiction based on the life of Jo’s great (x4) grandfather, John Randall. Of African heritage and born a slave in pre-revolutionary America, John was also one of 11 African convicts on the First Fleet to Australia.
“He had an amazing life,” Jo said.
“I think of him as the Forest Gump of the 18th Century. He was in the American War of Independence, experienced the Industrial Revolution, and helped to found a new nation. He probably even played the drums while marching in the Rum Rebellion. I love to imagine that.
“He was a slave, a soldier, a convict, a hunter, a farmer, and had six children to at least four different ‘wives’.
“However, he was a flawed individual and I used to write letters to him, to try and process some of the information I uncovered. But I love him, and the book was intended to honour him. His story needed to be told.
“It means everything to me to have won the IPPY award. I know it sounds strange, but to me, it’s an acknowledgment of him.”
Black Randall can be bought from Jo’s website at Jobraithwaite.com.au or any online book publishers or local bookshops at Noosa and Peregian Beach.
