Our People
8 July, 2026
Carr’s stories find new readers
MONTHS after launching his first book, former Stawell resident Geoff Carr is taking his stories of growing up around Stawell to readers across Victoria.
Carr’s self-published collection, Dickie Larsen’s Pumpkin & Other Stories, was released late last year, drawing on fictionalised memories of growing up around Stawell in an era when children spent their days roaming the bush, riding bikes and making their own adventures.
Since its launch, Carr has been invited to speak at libraries and literary events, including an appearance on a discussion panel at the Surf Coast Book Festival in Torquay last weekend.
He has also spoken at Ballarat Library and said the response from readers had been encouraging.
“They all seem to like the book, and particularly older people who can sort of relate to it,” he said.
“It’s been fairly well received.”
Carr said building an audience for a self-published book required persistence, with speaking engagements proving the most effective way of connecting with readers.
“It’s a lot of work,” he said.
“You’ve got to keep pushing things along a bit.”
While the book is available through online retailers, Carr said personal appearances remained the most rewarding way to introduce people to his writing.
“I’ve sold a lot just individually, but the best way to sell them, of course, is to get to the libraries and have a talk,” he said.
He said online sales generated little return because the books were printed on demand through third-party retailers.
Carr is set to continue promoting the collection, with another literary event planned in Ballarat in August.
Released late last year, Dickie Larsen’s Pumpkin & Other Stories captures the freedom of growing up in the Stawell district during the 1950s and 1960s, preserving memories of a style of childhood that has largely disappeared for future generations and that Carr hopes will resonate with readers who remember a very different Australia.
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