They say you should always write what you know…

It seems to be the philosophy that Sydney author Nelson Groom lives by. His debut non-fiction book, Belly of the Beast, written from inside Sticky Fingers’ close circle, was an experimental piece of Aussie gonzoism, documenting their often tumultuous journey while he served as a wide-eyed avatar for readers.

With his second book, The Auction, Groom turns to fiction, once again drawing on his experiences–this time in Tokyo’s neon underbelly. From what we’ve read and watched (see below), it’s every bit as captivating as his first offering, showcasing his descriptive prowess and dark humour. You can sense he’s enjoying himself, revelling in the noirish tones the setting provides.

The Auction follows Aussie model and petty criminal Darko Banks, who is pulled into a deadly mystery after a party on a remote island. With his friend missing and the glamorous Lina in danger, Darko must uncover the island’s dark secrets before he becomes the next victim.

Sounds juicy right? To make things even more interesting, Groom is releasing it over his social media channels (yes, we also didn’t know that was a thing…) read all about it below, and follow the links for his TikTok and Instagram:

Groom in Tokyo in 2011.

How was writing ‘The Auction’ a different experience to writing ‘Belly of the Beast’?

I found the solitary confinement of writing ‘The Auction’ a little easier on my introvert nerves. Writing fiction can be empowering. It’s just you, carving your story from stone.

Nonfiction on the other hand is collaborative. It’s about unearthing the stone, so you need miners to show you where to dig. But these miners can change their mind. Clobber you over the head and gobble the goo inside. It can get gory.

That said, it can be exhausting dreaming up characters, worlds and plots from nothing. With ‘The Beast’, I got to work with this cast of complex characters I already knew well. And they welcomed me into their world. In ways, it was a novelist’s dream.

So writing both books had its ups.

What are some challenges of switching to writing fiction?

Believability.

It’s been said that the only difference between truth and fiction is that fiction has to be believable. With nonfiction, unbelievability is welcome. Sometimes it’s the goal; that’s why you’re writing nonfiction in the first place.

That said, there’s a Godlike freedom in being able to think up anything and bring it to life. I was once told: if you’re writing fiction, take it to outer space, somewhere new. That’s what I did with ‘The Auction’. My experience in Tokyo was already unbelievable enough to warrant being written, but I wanted to write something new.

@nelson.groom.author Buzzed that the opening of my debut novel 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓐𝓾𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 will be available 12.10.24 in the anthology WestZine. This one’s a long time coming. So I’m doing something different and bringing the published part to life on here. With the help of composer Irene Kakopieros, who smashed out a score to die for. Let’s see where this thing winds up. 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓐𝓾𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 is a thriller about an Aussie stuck between the fashion world and the underworld of Japan. Inspired by some dicy Tokyo times I had back in the day. Let us know if you’re keen for it below! And stay tuned for excerpt part 1. 💴 🇯🇵🩸 Shoutout to thenewritersgroup and WestZine for the opportunity. And word up to animega867 for the video, and Daniel William for the SFX. #thrillerbooks #newbook #2024books #booktok #newthrillerbooks #bookrecommendations #bookrecisbook #bookrecs #whattoread #2024reads #thrillerbookaddict #thrillerbookaddic #explorepage #fyp ♬ original sound – Nelson.Groom

How much of ‘The Auction’ is based on real life? Tell us about your time in Tokyo?

More than you might believe.

I had some dicey experiences I’ll never forget on a working holiday in Tokyo in 2011. It all kicked off when I was scouted for modelling contract in the sweatshop that was Big Day Out’s Boiler Room. My mates were sure it was a scam, but I wanted to be sure. So before long I touched down in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Under modelling contracts, you’re fronted flights, accommodation and cash advances from your take-home pay. So unless you’re bringing a bankroll, you don’t have much to live off over there. One night I got this text from a random number saying: ‘last chance for tonight’. I was broke, bored and hungry, and thought, what’s this then?

@nelson.groom.author 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓮𝔁𝓬𝓮𝓻𝓹𝓽 𝓹𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓸𝓷𝓮: Here’s what I meant by selling something different in 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓐𝓾𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷. A novel released on TikToks. Using the power of anime. Seems this track’s not been taken before. But stories have to be retold in new ways. Like a virus, that’s how they survive. This is where it all kicks off for Darko Banks. His decision of whether or not to accept this invite will entangle him in a bloodthirsty chain of events. It’s a decision he’ll remember forever. And one he’d rather forget. Let us know ya thoughts below! Stay tuned for part 2 Props to Irene Kakopieros for the mean score and Animega 867 for the weapon video. #booktok #thrillerbooks #booktokks #2024books #booktok #fashionillers #japan #fashion #reels #bookrecommendations #readthisbook #bookrecs #2024reads #whattoread #thrillerbookaddict #explorepage #fyp ♬ original sound – Nelson.Groom

It turned out to be a bottles and models club promoter. These promoters are paid to lure models to a club, where ultra-rich salarymen bankroll their booze in exchange for their company. The models are stoked, because it looks like they’re getting a free-ride. But when you think you get something for nothing, the bill’s just delayed.

Because some of the clubs I saw were insidious; they were yakuza-run and haunted by notoriously powerful predators who are often there for more than just dancing. There was a lawless underbelly of power in those places that sucked me in. It’s an ideal setting for a thriller.

Outside of your experience, why was Tokyo the perfect setting for ‘The Auction’?

Tokyo is the perfect place to disappear. It’s a neon-soaked wonderland, a world away way from your support networks, and it takes a long time to get a grip of the customs. It’s got this reputation as being a perfectly safe, welcoming wonderland. But look beyond the lights, and that’s not always the reality.

Organised crime is interesting in Japan. For many years police turned a blind eye to the yakuza’s trail of terror in the belief they kept the streets under control. They operated in plain view, worked with politicians and banks and ran like a legitimate corporation. This gave them a sort of malevolent power. The kind of power that can make people disappear. The police have cracked down on them hard in recent years, but there was a time they were untouchable.

@nelson.groom.author 𝓔𝔁𝓬𝓮𝓻𝓹𝓽 𝓹𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓽𝔀𝓸: This one bumps forward a bit. To when club promoter Lina draws Darko into an underbelly run by yakuza boss Ren. Darko scores a free feed out it, which is what he came for. But he can’t shake the sense that’s not the only thing on the menu. And the horror of what’s about to go down will be difficult to digest. 🩸🇯🇵 Big love again to Irene Kakopieros and Ani.mega867 for the ripper work. If you’re keen for the whole yarn, show this one some love! #thrillerbooks #newbooks #fashion #japan #2024books #bookstagram #newthrillers #reels #bookrecommendations #readthisbook #bookrecs #2024reads #whattoread #thrillerbookaddict #explorepage #fypk ♬ original sound – Nelson.Groom

Lastly, as a gaijin (Japanese for foreigner), everything feels refreshing in Tokyo. It’s very much: why don’t we do this? So from that lens, the setting can be educational.

All of this has the ingredients of a strong setting.

Describe the book in a few words?

Chilling. Thrilling.

Tell us about how you’re sharing the book with the world? WTF is booktok?

I’d heard there’s this world of readers using TikTok to share their love of books. I wanted to connect with them and show them my ripper yarn. But soon as I activated my account, I started involuntarily twerking. And I can’t stop. I’ve lost my job, my wife, my kids. Albanese was bang on the money with this one: BookTok ravaged my life.

Why are you doing it like this?

In all seriousness, fiction can be a prickly medium to broadcast online. Most of the content I see is authors holding up their books and telling us how good they are. I wanted to bring the book to life.

So I hit up my talented composer friend Irene Kakopieros, who’s a master of true crime scores. And I found this cracker anime editor @anim.ega867. And we worked together to bring some excerpts to life.

The response has been unreal. So shoutout to everyone who showed some love. I think people appreciate when you try something different.

Is that you narrating? How was that experience?

It wasn’t me, and they say a good journalist never reveals his sources. Though I once wrote an article about a horse tucking itself into bed. So that’s probably a generous job title to assign myself.

Still, I’d prefer to maintain the mystery on this one. What I’ll say is that it’s someone many of us hold close to our heart.

Who are the target readers?

Anyone with a taste for Japan, which is now the top Aussie tourist destination, so I’d like to hope that’s a fair few of us.

Anyone interested in what lurks behind the scenes of the fashion industry. Anyone interested in anti-ageing. And anyone who appreciates a fuck-off twist.