UOW medical student and author Jess Webster with her first novel, The...

Jess’ writing talent no longer a secret

When Jess Webster had a year of casual work between finishing her Science degree and starting Medicine at the University of Wollongong she decided to entertain herself – and her mother and a few close friends – by writing a story.

She succeeded beyond her wildest dreams.

Everyone enjoyed reading her story so much that they urged her to keep writing … and writing. Eighty thousand words later Jess decided to enter her story in a national competition for unpublished writers, called IP Picks.

Early in 2009 she was informed that her story had won the Best First Book category, and that the prize was publication by Queensland publishers Glasshouse Books.

A year later Jess’ book, a fantasy novel called The Secret Stealer, is about to hit the bookstores. It’s about a nine-year-old boy, James Winchester IV who has his deepest secret stolen (by the Secret Stealer). The story follows his quest to regain his secret, while dealing with the realisation that when his was stolen he gained the ability to steal secrets from others. With his new-found ability James sets out to tackle the injustices around him.

“It’s very exciting to have a book published,” said Jess, who also drew the cover illustration. “I have enjoyed writing stories since I was very young, but had never completed something of this length. And I certainly didn’t imagine I was going to win the competition, but figured it couldn’t hurt to at least enter.”

Jess spent 2009 juggling the demands of the first year of a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree at UOW’s Graduate School of Medicine with working through the editing process with the publishers.

“It was interesting, to say the least. I’d be in the middle of an assignment for uni and then would have to find the time to read through all 230 pages of the manuscript and email my comments back to my editor,” she said. “But I could really see the value in the editing process and I’m happy with the result.”

Jess’ ambition is to be a small-town General Practitioner “where I can follow through with patients and their families, and provide some sort of continuity of treatment”.

For now her medical degree is the main priority, and Jess has had to give up her place playing viola in the WIN Wollongong Symphony Orchestra. But she hasn’t ruled out another book.

“Second year Medicine is very challenging, with five-week rotations at hospitals and clinics coming up. I am very busy, but I really enjoy writing so it might just happen …” she said.

Nick Hartgerink, March 2010