Holiday sparks Debbie’s book journey

Debbie Camps never saw herself as becoming an author, yet after a holiday to the Northern Territory inspiration struck.

Debbie Camps and her husband went on a holiday to the Northern Territory two years ago and wanted to bring back something for their grandson Bronson.

“I found T-shirts and hats and very expensive little road trains, nothing else,” she said of the disappointment of not being able to find a fitting gift.

She spoke to people in bookstores and gift shops, and learned that she was not the first person to ask about books on road trains, a common yet still amazing sight on desert roads.

Roma the Road Train’s First Road Trip then came to life.

“Sitting in the car travelling miles and miles and the book sort of formed into my head and I came back home and did it, I wrote it and sent it off and now it is a published book,” Mrs Camps said.

“It tells the story of Norm, the road train driver, and the trip he takes from Northern Territory, from Darwin down to Alice Springs.”

Along the way Norm and Roma encounter termite mounds, road works, and wildlife in the bush while safely navigating their journey in the outback.

As educational as it is fun to read, Roma The Road Train’s First Road Trip will be the next book featured in Muswellbrook Libraries Local Author Read series later this month.

The book was officially released in February but the lockdowns put a pause on any plans to promote it, but when asked if there will be a sequel, she has already been told now every grandchild will have to have a book dedicated to them like Bronson.

Thankfully for Mrs Camps she only has two grandchildren.

Roma The Road Train’s First Road Trip is available locally at Hunt a Book in Scone and the Cattle Dog Café in Muswellbrook, or look the book up on Facebook Roma the Road Train.

Mrs Camps will be reading her book at Muswellbrook Library on Thursday August 27 at 10.30am, bookings are essential due to social distancing and should be made with the library on 6543 1913 or email library@muswellbrook.nse.gov.au