In one form or another, Dean Mayes has been writing and creating for most of his life...or at least for as long as he could wield a pen and knew how to use it.
Born in country Victoria, Australia, Dean grew up with an early love of words - a trait a little out of step for most children of his age. His creative streak was inspired by his third grade teacher, Mrs. Furnell, who challenged him in his creative writing exercises which he initially "sucked at". After producing a surprisingly poignant piece about a soldier's experience of war (based on his grand father), Dean received his first writing award - a Purple Dragon sticker.
Dean, circa 1986.
The genesis for what has become his first published novel came in 2008 Dean started an internet blog and decided to craft a story 'on the fly' with no bells or whistles and put it up in installments each week. He would announce a new edition on Facebook and Twitter and let anybody who wanted to read it.
A funny thing happened. Dean suddenly found himself with a dedicated readership - a following who would 'tune in' each week to see more of this unfolding story - a fable about a struggling young drug addict with a brilliant gift for the guitar, who is rescued from a near fatal overdose in urban Chicago. Meanwhile, a beautiful young lawyer is trying to rebuild her life in Southern Australia following the death of the love of her life - a promising architect...who also has a gift for classical guitar.
People began asking when the next installment was coming, telling him how hooked they were on the story, encouraging Dean to keep writing. And out of all these new found fan messages came one in particular. It was a message of encouragement, but one that also invited Dean to have a look at Central Avenue Publishing of Vancouver. After talking with C.A.P.'s creative director Michelle Halket, Dean became very serious about his project. He stopped publishing it to the blog and began constructing the manuscript, stealing time whenever he could to work on the story on any medium he could - his computer, smart phone, pieces of paper, even shopping dockets.
Dean in 2010.
Within a few short months the manuscript for the renamed "The Hambledown Dream" was completed and submitted. .
