Author Chris Thomas, with family ties to Katanning, releases 25th anniversary edition of comedy Journo’s Diary

Chris Thomas, the grandson of Eric Thomas, former chair of the Katanning Stock and Trading Company, has released a 25th anniversary edition of his cult comedy novel Journo’s Diary. The story follows Rick Hughes, a hapless cadet journalist juggling office politics, looming deadlines, terrible coffee and disastrous life choice. First published in 2000, Chris Thomas said the new version keeps the original’s spirit but has been updated. “I’ve resolved a plot hole, added a preface and leaned into the nostalgia,” he said. Set in the era of fax machines, phone books and film photography, he said the technology may have dated but the heart of the story still resonates. “Journalists still need to know how to structure a story, follow a style guide, meet deadlines, find people and get the basics right,” he said. “And in this age of ‘fake news’, critical thinking and fact-checking remain as important as ever.” Now Perth-based, Chris Thomas has also written the official Doctor Who spin-off novel Lethbridge-Stewart: Blue Blood and contributed One Step Forward, Two Steps Back in Doctor Who: Short Trips — Defining Patterns. He is also the author of the successful children’s picture books Leonard The Lonely Duck and My Uncle is a Funcle. He denied Journo’s diary was autobiographical and said it was a mix of ideas, experiences and exaggeration. “Authors often draw on real-life events, but humour takes things to ridiculous places,” he said. “In comedy, people and situations are more absurd than they ever are in real life.” His grandfather died in Albany in 1993 having joined the Katanning stock and Trading company as an office and shop junior in 1925. He became a shareholder in 1945 just before he left for war service with RAAF transport and was appointed sales manager upon his return the same year. Appointed a director in 1949, he became chair in 1972 before retiring to Emu Point. Chris Thomas’ book Journo’s Diary is available through Amazon.