Will Elliott
Encyclopedia
Will Elliott is an Australian literary horror fiction
writer who lives in Brisbane, Queensland.
His debut novel
The Pilo Family Circus
was published in Australia
in 2006 after winning the inaugural ABC Fiction Award
(sponsored by ABC Books). The novel went on to win the Aurealis Award
(co-winner: Best Horror novel, plus the Golden Aurealis Award), the Australian Shadows Award
, the Ditmar Award
(Best Novel), and the Sydney Morning Herald's "Best Young Novelist Award" for 2007. The Pilo Family Circus also short-listed for the 2007 International Horror Guild Award
for Best Novel.
Elliott dropped out of a law degree at 20 when he developed schizophrenia
. Although The Pilo Family Circus is about a young man struggling with a psychotic alter-ego when he dons clown
face paint, Elliott has said the novel is not autobiographical.
Elliott has written some short stories. His first published story "Ain't no ordinary ham" (Griffith Review, Sept 2006) was reprinted in
Best Australian Stories 2006, ed. Robert Drewe
(Black Ink, 2006).
Elliott's memoir "Strange Places" was released in Australia on 1 May 2009, chiefly dealing with Elliott's experiences with schizophrenia and detailing the development of his writing career.
He is presently working on "The Pendulum Trilogy", volume one of which is due for publication in Australia in mid 2010.
The Pilo Family Circus has been picked up for North American distribution by Victoria Blake's new publishing company, Underland Press
. It is scheduled to be one their debut novel
s in 2009.
Horror fiction
Horror fiction also Horror fantasy is a philosophy of literature, which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie atmosphere. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural...
writer who lives in Brisbane, Queensland.
His debut novel
Debut novel
A debut novel is the first novel an author publishes. Debut novels are the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to publish in the future...
The Pilo Family Circus
The Pilo Family Circus
The Pilo Family Circus is a 2006 horror novel by Will Elliott. It follows the story of Jamie who after a random incident of nearly hitting a clown with his car finds himself being stalked by three sadistic clowns.-Background:...
was published in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in 2006 after winning the inaugural ABC Fiction Award
ABC Fiction Award
The ABC Fiction Award was an Australian literary award presented annually to the best, original, unpublished, adult fiction manuscript, written by an Australian resident over the age of 18. It was launched in 2005...
(sponsored by ABC Books). The novel went on to win the Aurealis Award
Aurealis Award
Aurealis Award for Excellence in Speculative Fiction is an annual literary award for Australian science fiction, fantasy and horror fiction. Only Australians are eligible for the award.-History:...
(co-winner: Best Horror novel, plus the Golden Aurealis Award), the Australian Shadows Award
Australian Shadows Award
The Australian Shadows Award is an annual literary award established by the Australian Horror Writers Association in 2005 to honour the best published work of horror fiction written or edited by an Australian...
, the Ditmar Award
Ditmar Award
The Ditmar Award has been awarded annually since 1969 at the Australian National Science Fiction Convention to recognise achievement in Australian science fiction and science fiction fandom...
(Best Novel), and the Sydney Morning Herald's "Best Young Novelist Award" for 2007. The Pilo Family Circus also short-listed for the 2007 International Horror Guild Award
International Horror Guild Award
The International Horror Guild Award is a recognition presented by the International Horror Guild to recognize the achievements of those who create in the field of horror and dark fantasy. Nancy A. Collins, the founder of the award, felt there was a need for an award granted by a large,...
for Best Novel.
Elliott dropped out of a law degree at 20 when he developed schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
. Although The Pilo Family Circus is about a young man struggling with a psychotic alter-ego when he dons clown
Clown
Clowns are comic performers stereotypically characterized by the grotesque image of the circus clown's colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish costumes, unusually large footwear, and red nose, which evolved to project their actions to large audiences. Other less grotesque styles have also...
face paint, Elliott has said the novel is not autobiographical.
Elliott has written some short stories. His first published story "Ain't no ordinary ham" (Griffith Review, Sept 2006) was reprinted in
Best Australian Stories 2006, ed. Robert Drewe
Robert Drewe
Robert Duncan Drewe is an Australian journalist, novelist and short story writer.-Biography:Drewe was born in Melbourne, but moved with his family to Perth, Western Australia at the age of six. He was educated at Hale School, and in his final year was appointed School Captain...
(Black Ink, 2006).
Elliott's memoir "Strange Places" was released in Australia on 1 May 2009, chiefly dealing with Elliott's experiences with schizophrenia and detailing the development of his writing career.
He is presently working on "The Pendulum Trilogy", volume one of which is due for publication in Australia in mid 2010.
The Pilo Family Circus has been picked up for North American distribution by Victoria Blake's new publishing company, Underland Press
Underland Press
Underland Press is a publishing company owned by Victoria Blake. Victoria Blake is a writer and the former prose editor for Dark Horse Comics....
. It is scheduled to be one their debut novel
Debut novel
A debut novel is the first novel an author publishes. Debut novels are the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to publish in the future...
s in 2009.
Short stories
- "Ain't no ordinary ham", Griffith Review (September 2006)
- Best Australian Stories 2006, ed. Robert Drewe (Black Inc, 2006).
- "Pre-emptive Strike"
- Best Australian Stories 2007, ed. Robert Drewe (Black Inc, 2007).
Wins
- Ditmar AwardDitmar AwardThe Ditmar Award has been awarded annually since 1969 at the Australian National Science Fiction Convention to recognise achievement in Australian science fiction and science fiction fandom...
, Best Novel (2007) - Australian Shadows AwardAustralian Shadows AwardThe Australian Shadows Award is an annual literary award established by the Australian Horror Writers Association in 2005 to honour the best published work of horror fiction written or edited by an Australian...
(2007) - Golden Aurealis AwardAurealis AwardAurealis Award for Excellence in Speculative Fiction is an annual literary award for Australian science fiction, fantasy and horror fiction. Only Australians are eligible for the award.-History:...
, Best Novel (2007) - Aurealis Award, Horror novel, co-winner with Edwina Grey's Prismatic (2007)
- "Best Young Novelist Award", The Sydney Morning HeraldThe Sydney Morning HeraldThe Sydney Morning Herald is a daily broadsheet newspaper published by Fairfax Media in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1831 as the Sydney Herald, the SMH is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Australia. The newspaper is published six days a week. The newspaper's Sunday counterpart, The...
(2007) - ABC Fiction AwardABC Fiction AwardThe ABC Fiction Award was an Australian literary award presented annually to the best, original, unpublished, adult fiction manuscript, written by an Australian resident over the age of 18. It was launched in 2005...
(2006)
Reviews
- ASif! review of The Pilo Family Circus
- "First Tuesday Book Club" ABC TV review of The Pilo Family Circus.
- HorrorScope review of "The Pilo Family Circus".
- The Guardian (UK) review of The Pilo Family Circus.