Michael Trant is a WA country boy turned suburban writer, following a wide range of careers from marine draftsman to farmer, and pastoralist to FIFO pot-washer. Mike grew up on the family farm at Eneabba, before moving to Geraldton then out to Yalgoo before heading to Perth. His debut novel Ridgeview Station was inspired by his time on Gabyon Station, and he highly recommends a visit for those curious about life on a sheep station.
When he’s not writing, Michael can be found plucking away at his guitar in attempts to replicate his idol Tommy Emmanuel or swearing at his beloved Fremantle Dockers.
He still travels to Three Springs to drive tractors ‘just to keep my hand in,’ but despite the advent of autosteer machines, refrains from taking the laptop to write, as that would not end well for power poles, fences or trees.
Michael talks to Writing WA CEO Will Yeoman about his latest novel, No Trace, and the forthcoming York Regional Writers Weekend (13-14 April, 2024).
Michael Trant: from the paddock to the page