Canberra’s self-made myth master: David Conley
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Meet the man who turns myths into immersive graphic narratives for children.
When David Conley, a father of two, primary school teacher, and self-proclaimed mythology enthusiast, started doodling Greek gods and myths on a classroom whiteboard, little did he know he was setting the stage for a successful career as a children’s author. With five books under his belt, including That Book About Greek Mythology and the two-part That Book About Norse Mythology, David is a rising name in children’s literature.
“I’m not the only mythology graphic novel author in town,” he laughs, dismissing the accolade with a humble air. “I love what others are creating, and I’ll never get tired of looking at these familiar myths and legends through fresh eyes.”
David’s foray into storytelling began during spare minutes before school breaks. He found himself retelling Greek myths, using a sketch on the board to illustrate the narrative. This discovery laid the groundwork for his writing style—”highly scaffolded with illustrations, simple sentences and big ideas.”
His narratives honour the source material while engaging the young audience. He takes great care to present a balanced view of his characters: “I don’t tell the audience who I think the heroes or villains are. My job is to tell children what happened, hopefully, make them giggle at the pictures, and then leave it to them to work out who the goodies and baddies are.”
David juggles the dual role of author and illustrator, having nurtured a love for drawing from a young age. The self-publishing process, though challenging, gives him the freedom to bring his unique style to life. His unconventional portrayal of gods and heroes adds a layer of intrigue to his narratives. His characters are neither glamorised nor romanticised, a strategy he hopes will help children see them with a more open mind.
The path to publication has been a journey of self-discovery, filled with learning and challenges. David describes his most interesting quirk as his attempt to keep his values out of the myths as much as possible. But, he confesses, “I still don’t know if I’m doing it right, and I’m hoping nobody will realise.
“Also, I have the uncanny ability to only see a typo until after it has been printed and distributed to stores,” he says.
While he acknowledges the challenges in the publishing industry, he’s content with self-publishing, enjoying his connections with Canberra’s creative community and growing fanbase.
Currently working on That Book About Space Stuff, That Book About Egyptian Mythology, That Book About Life Before Dinosaurs, That Book About Chinese Mythology, and That Book About Australian Parliament Stuff, David is committed to sharing knowledge and fostering a love for learning.
Despite the rigours of balancing a day job, family life, and his writing, his success since publication has exceeded his expectations.
“Two and a bit years later, I’m printing hundreds of copies at a time, receiving fan mail and art, selling books internationally, giving talks, interviews, signing autographs and even giving advice!” he says.
He advises emerging writers: Copy your favourite authors until you feel ready to stretch your legs out in a new direction of your own. Terrible writing leads to less terrible writing.
Indeed, David’s journey highlights the beauty of self-discovery and the magic of storytelling. His work weaves ancient myths into a modern narrative, providing children with an exciting entry point into the enchanting world of mythology. Through his books, he continues to foster a love for learning and encourages kids to question and explore the world around them.
