Dominic Fotia’s first published novel, Burning on Australian Soil, was inspired by his experience as an immigrant and desire to tell a story of contemporary Australia.
In the ultracompetitive world of publishing, Yarrawonga jeweller Dominic Fotia has done what many have dreamed of, and few achieved, by having his first novel published.
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Burning on Australian Soil is the story of an immigrant Afghan family trying to navigate their new life.
When a violent act shatters the family, they are forced to confront identity, belonging, faith, and the fragile space between two cultures.
An immigrant himself, from Reggio Calabria in Southern Italy, Dominic said he wanted to write a story of contemporary Australia and for readers to get into the minds of Muslim immigrants.
“I understand what migrants go through, from the moment they set foot on Australian soil, to getting out in the community, the workforce, and everything that’s involved along the way,” he said.
“I never saw my grandparents again; I waved to them from the ship and that was the last time I saw them, and the rest of the family.”
The Fotia family arrived in Australia in 1961, “where all the immigrants landed” at Station Pier in Melbourne.
The following day, they caught a train to Cobram where his father’s sister was living, and where Dominic grew up.
“Coming out here we basically had nothing and knew hardly anyone; none of us spoke the language, and we were expected to survive,” he said.
“My dad couldn’t get a job; no-one was going to hire an Italian carpenter straight off the ship so he basically did what he could to make ends meet.
“It was the old story, where he went out and found a tin shed to live in.”
This is not Dominic’s first book about issues that interest and fascinate him, but it’s his first to be published.
In this case, he says there were ideas in his head that he had to get down on paper - the migrant issue, particularly Muslims, and its place in the contemporary Australian story.
“I grew up in a strong Muslim community; there were about half a dozen Muslims in our school,” Dominic said.
“What stands out is the patriarchy, the male dominance, and how the family is everything.
“You don’t do anything wrong, to bring shame to the family; every member is expected to conform, and to always have the family interests in mind.”
Burning on Australian Soil is available to buy locally or online from Hybrid Publishers.
Burning on Australian Soil took almost four years to write and completing it came with lessons in self-discipline.
The first 12 months were spent getting the idea down on paper, more than a year editing a dozen drafts, and then the difficult task of finding a publisher.
With ideas from the Goulburn Valley Writers Group in Shepparton, Dominic said it came down to the arduous task of approaching publishers.
“The best-known ones you don’t even get to square one with,” he said.
“They aren’t interested in a new author they can’t market.”
But Hybrid Publishers, a small, independent publisher based in Melbourne saw the potential and arranged a meeting.
A contract was signed and now Dominic Fotia can lay claim to being a published author.
It didn’t just happen; it took commitment, about 10 hours a week for four years.
“I learned what discipline is all about,” Dominic said.
“And I learned just how important a good editor is.”
Burning on Australian Soil is available locally at Yarrawonga News and Gifts, Kelly’s Books, Dominique’s Jewellers or online at www.hybridpublishers.com.au.
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