Sydney copywriter Ben Sampson and father win Finch Memoir Prize with ‘Schools of Fish’ book
Sydney-based creative Ben Sampson, along with his father, Alan, have won the 2015 Finch Memoir Prize, announced on day three of the 2015 Sydney Writer’s Festival.
The pair started their book, Schools of Fish, by sending emails of chapters to one another before things really started to take shape, eventually ending up with a coveted publishing deal.
Says Ben Sampson: “I think working closely with a creative partner for years has really prepared me for doing a project of this scale with my Dad.”
All up they say the prize winning memoir, which is based mainly around Ben’s younger brother Greg, took them about a year to complete in their spare time.
Says Ben Sampson: “Writing it was a long journey but the result I think is full of heart and might prove an important read for some. There’s a hero’s journey many can relate to as a boy and his dad butt heads, first with each other and then with a system.”
Schools of Fish follows Alan Sampson’s early days as a hard core high school principal renowned for transforming troubled schools. He is then given a school with one of the worst reputations in the state and to make matters worse, this school has one of the most troublesome students he has ever come across… his own son, Greg.
As Alanstrives to find a way to tame his son’s behavioural problems, at school and at home, he and Greg battle the engrained education system, as well as each other. Only when they both find the courage to step outside the rules do they find their way through to each other, realising that the best education in life can often be found outside the school system.
Alan is currently a Queensland Public High School executive principal and has been inspector of schools and assistant regional director of education in Queensland.
Ben is a founder of Idea Gallery, which he set up with long time creative partner John Kane after their Happy Soldiers’ days.
To order a copy of Schools of Fish, click here or visit the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/schoolsoffishmemoirprize.
6 Comments
That’s just awesome. I don’t know you, Ben, but congratulations!
I like!
Ben’s talent is astonishing, v proud of you Ben!
Sheesh, there are some talented people in adland. Inspiring and slightly terrifying.
Well done Ben, really, really good stuff.
Brilliant! I’m not surprised to discover that talent runs in the family.
Top stuff Ben.