Meet Tanya Scott - Author of Stillwater

Allen & Unwin
7 days ago
2 min read

Learn more about Stillwater and author Tanya Scott.

Watch the video above to learn more about Tanya Scott. Then, read on below to find a letter from Tanya about her novel, Stillwater.

Dear Reader,

Have you ever met a person and thought… I wonder what secrets they keep?

If I scratch the surface, what’s going on under that calm veneer?

These were the questions that inspired the main character in Stillwater. As a doctor working in mental health care, I learned that every patient I met had more going on than met the eye. Everyone has their battles, their past, their healed and unhealed wounds. Sometimes they’ll do anything to keep them hidden.

The bare bones of Stillwater were laid down during the pandemic, at a time when everything around us was chaos. I was studying creative writing as an antidote to the turmoil, and also because I’d put aside writing for too many years to focus on a ‘real’ career.

One of my assessment tasks was a character study, and through the questions above, the main character, Luke, was born. Within a few pages, Luke and his story had their hooks in me and wouldn’t let go—I’m sure I’m not the only writer who gets obsessed with their imaginary friends—and a few years later, here we are.

On the surface, Stillwater is a crime thriller, but underneath, it’s a story about a reluctant criminal, about refusing to allow your past to define you, and learning to be the still water when the sea around you is churning.

Writing this book has made me laugh and cry, and I’ve learned so much in the process—about writing, and about myself. And drugs and money-laundering and guns. (A wise person warned me that my search history would be incriminating—they were right!)

I can’t wait for you to meet Luke and share his story—I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Tanya Scott