It has been a fine balancing act to not neglect his schoolwork. He still wants to perform well academically and keep up his involvement with debating and drama at St John’s College.

Then there is his busy social life – Andy certainly doesn’t fit the stereotype of the reclusive writer. He’s also a musician and plays keyboard in a band called Little Red House.

"It is a fairly new band but we are all pretty serious musicians," he says. On weekends when he’s not playing in the band or writing, he likes to watch music gigs with his friends.

This won’t be Andy’s only novel; he hopes that it will be the first in a trilogy. In fact, he’s already got some ideas for the sequel. Daniel Fox and the Jester’s Legacy has been well received and has been short-listed for the Exclusive Books One Club Prize. It will also be the face of the award this year.

He is quick to point out that he isn’t a whizz-kid. "I don’t posses any extraordinary skill that enabled me to complete the book," he says.

He adds that his interest in literature and writing all began with his love of reading.

"I’ve always loved reading and when I was a child my parents always read to me."

He particularly likes fantasy literature such as 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'Harry Potter'.

"The book was published because I finished it, and because I kept at it when I started," he says.

Andy encourages other young writers not to give up writing.

"You are never too young to start writing. Often young people are deterred because they only see writers who are much older. Maybe wisdom of age does help, but it doesn’t mean you can’t do it."

» Article courtesy of MediaClubSA