A Bigger Brighter World reader Harriet Ziegler is the winner of Kim Kelly’s new novel, Jewel Sea, in our recent competition with Kelly’s publisher The Author People.

Kelly (pictured) asked readers, ‘What period of Australian history intrigues you and why?’ She also said that the most intriguing answer would win—and that she might even write a book about it!

Ziegler’s winning answer was: The 1970s – the Australian involvement in the Vietnam War and then the resettlement of all those refugees – because perhaps we could learn something that would help us now. And because so many of those refugees have become such wonderful and interesting citizens of Australia. I’ve met a number and their stories of hardship in escaping and in the camps are great – and have not been well told.

Kelly said of Ziegler’s answer: Fabulous! Now, this is a reader after my own heart – a story that shows the rich tapestry of us, where we’ve come from and how we might do better. I think this 1970s entry must be the winner. It’s also an idea I can’t pinch because my next book, just completed, is set during this period – so yay all round.

Thanks to all our entrants … your answers were good too.

Oh, and if you missed the fabulous guest post Q&A between Kelly and author Patrick Lenton, read it now.