I remember the book well, then the film with Italian actor...

I remember the book well, then the film with Italian actor Walter Chiari and all the usual suspects Aussie actors of the era.

It inspired me to write a short story, which I was proud to have published in the literary magazine, Quadrant, for money.

The short story was picked up and re-published in a hardback anthology of Australian works a few years later.

I guess that makes me a professional author, lol.