Bryce Courtenay

Writing Courtenay's novels are primarily set in South Africa, the country of his birth, or Australia, his adopted country. His first book, The Power of One, was published in 1989 and, despite Courtenay's fears that it would never sell, quickly became one of Australia's best-selling books by any living author. The story was made into a film, as well as being re-released in an edition for children.

Courtenay was one of Australia's most commercially successful authors. He built up this success over the long term by promoting himself and developing a relationship with readers as much as marketing his books; for instance, he gave away up to 2,500 books free each year to readers he met in the street. However, only The Power of One has been published in the United States. Courtenay claimed that this was because "American publishers for the most part have difficulties about Australia[;] they are interested in books in their own country first and foremost. However, we receive many e-mails and letters from Americans who have read my books and I am hoping in the future that publishers will recognize that there is a market for all my books in the U.S."

Courtenay had a very strong work ethic, often writing 12 hours a day, and he normally wrote a book each year during his writing career. He turned to writing in the late 1980s after a 30-year career in advertising. In his lifetime, he sold more than 20 million copies of his books worldwide.

Death In September 2012, Courtenay announced that he was suffering from terminal gastric cancer and that his last book would be Jack of Diamonds. He died from cancer at age 79 on 22 November at his Canberra home, two weeks after the release of Jack of Diamonds.

Awards and honours Member of the Order of Australia (AM): 1995; in recognition of service to advertising and marketing to the community and as an author Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) (honoris causa): 2005; from the University of Newcastle Doctor of the University (D.Univ.) (honoris causa): 2012; from the University of Canberra Australia Post Literary Legend: 2010; honoured on an Australian postage stamp