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author
Chris Twyman
Professional background
Chris Twyman worked in journalism in Sydney over 35 years, firstly as a reporter and subeditor in the business section of the now defunct Daily Sun.
After f...view moreProfessional background
Chris Twyman worked in journalism in Sydney over 35 years, firstly as a reporter and subeditor in the business section of the now defunct Daily Sun.
After five years there, he moved to the business section of the Daily Telegraph for nearly two years. The following two years were spent travelling overseas before he joined The Australian newspaper, where he rose to become chief subeditor in the business section.
After five years with that paper, he took time out for his own writing, with the result that he signed a contract with Rigby publishers for his novel to become part of what was to be the Stonyfell series – a selection of fiction writing from younger writers.
Unfortunately, Rigby experienced financial difficulties and the series was cancelled when the publisher was taken over by the Kevin Weldon group.
When it became obvious that the novel was dead in the water, the author accepted a small payout and returned to journalism.
There was a brief stint at Australian Business magazine (now defunct) before he received an offer to become chief subeditor in the business section of the Sydney Morning Herald.
What was meant to be a short stay at the Herald turned into a 22-year career, which included two years as chief subeditor of the sports section.
The author created and wrote the Retro column which appeared in the SMH’s business section every Saturday -- nearly 200 columns in all. He also wrote the year-end features from 2000 to 2005 included.
After leaving the Herald in early 2006, his writing efforts were concentrated on this manuscript, although he did receive a high commendation for an essay written for the Black Dog Institute’s 2010 competition.
Personal background
Chris Twyman was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. He abandoned his formal education at Sydney Boys High School when 15 years old and spent a few uninspiring years doing office work before also abandoning that.
After a tentative foray overseas, he returned to Australia and joined the Army. There were irreconcilable differences, which resulted in his going absent without leave. He kept one step ahead of the authorities, hitchhiking from Sydney, across the then wild country of north western Queensland and into the frontier-like Northern Territory, where he found work in the labour gang at the Rum Jungle uranium mine. There, he earned enough money to take himself overseas. He was gone for nearly six years, during which time the Army discharged him.
He returned home overland from Europe, making his way along the hippie trail and through hot spots such as Iran and Afghanistan. He was jailed in India on trumped up charges, but after a trial spread over a month, he received a full acquittal and resumed his journey home.
Back in Sydney, he worked on the assembly line at Holden’s Pagewood plant before being given a trial in the business section of the Daily Sun.
He now lives in Sydney.view less