Local author and primary school teacher Drew Bale is excited to announce the release of his fourth novel, The Bigger Man, which will was released Saturday, July 1.

The Bigger Man is the sequel to Drew’s 2021 book The Wrangler, and the second in his young adult series, Warriors of Westopolis. 

Set in a fictionalised version of nearby Wellington, The Bigger Man follows the journey of the Jiemba, as he navigates his way around isolated and forgotten bushland. While he’s adjusting to his new surroundings he must also learn to use his newly acquired superhero strength. 

“Think Marvel, but in the Central West!” Drew said of the series.

Book one of the series focused on the city of Orange, and Drew has been working on ideas for stories set in other Central West towns.

“I’ve got a little map and the idea is to write a book for each of the places on there.”

For Drew his passion for writing extends back to his childhood.

“I’ve always been writing, ever since primary school, but I just found that I didn’t have time," he said.

But while studying at university, Drew finally found a way to make his passion a priority.

“I’d do all the [course] work, have two or three months off, so I’d fill it with writing,” Drew said.

It’s been a practice he has been able to continue even after entering his teaching career, but he’s love to make it more of a priority.

“To be able to sit back and write, that’s the dream,” Drew said.

The Bigger Man will be the fourth book Drew’s published since his first book hit the shelves four years ago. But he reckons he’s written roughly a dozen novel manuscripts over the past decade, and Drew now intends to revisit some of these earlier stories and get them into shape for publication.

The Bigger Man is available from Collins Booksellers, Orange and online retailers.