Colonel Surry's Insanity- Neil Cole

Whilst it is not unlikely, or even unusual for a former member of Parliament to release a book following their exit from public service, these books are usually just memoirs that toe the party line, or supposed exposés of larger-than-life political characters. John Howard, Bob Hawke and Mark Latham’s recent offerings come to mind. Very rarely does an MP publish something that is non-fiction. Or choose to make writing his next career path.

Never one to stick with the status quo, Neil Cole did just that. He has been many things in his time, a lawyer, former member of the Victorian State Parliament for over a decade and, in the 1990s, the Victorian Shadow Attorney-General. Where Neil now concentrates his efforts is on writing and producing scripts, as well as writing novels.

Over the past 15 years, Neil has written a dozen plays, 11 of them having been performed in Melbourne and interstate, in venues such as La Mama and the The Malthouse. He won the Griffin Theatre Award for the ‘Best New Writing for Theatre’ in 1999 and was again shortlisted for the same award in 2005.

In 2001, he was short listed for the Victorian Premiers Literary Award.

However, one of his proudest achievements remains the publication of his first novel, Colonel Surry's Insanity.

The printing of the book was driven by a desire to better understand mental illness, in particular his own, Bipolar Mood Disorder. Upon his retirement from public service, Neil was the first politician in Australia or overseas to admit to having a mental illness. 



The novel explores the life of Colonial John Surry, his most dangerous manic-depressive periods, and the effects this has on both his actions and the lives of those around him.

Colonel Surry’s life is turned on its head when he pleads not guilty to the embezzlement of tens of thousands of dollars, money he stole to fund his beloved Labor Party’s campaign in the Queensland election, as well as cheap hotels to sleep with cheap women.

The narrative charts the fluctuations of Surry’s mental illness, first during army service in the Second World War, then throughout his struggles as both a father and husband. Neil's ability to write with intellect and humor endears Surry to the reader, the distinctly Australian colloquialisms that pervade the text allows his protagonist to be a charming one indeed.

After recently achieving sales in-excess of one thousand units, Neil praises the process of self-publishing, which has afforded him the opportunity to print what he needs, when he needs it. Through extensive media coverage, such as on the John Faine Morning Program and various conferences, intensified momentum is surrounding the book. Demand has grown high, Neil selling the book both in Australia and overseas, via his website .

Whilst even twenty years ago the only option available authors was to wait, often in vain, to secure a book deal, new printing technology has enabled well-respected authors like Neil to print short runs of books, in turn allowing for greater flexibility and full control over his work.

Printing on demand through Documents on Call has enabled Neil full control in the distribution and marketing of his books, allowing him to invest in himself.

Instead of print-runs of tens of thousands of books, Neil has concentrated on smaller, tailored quantities, which he orders in the event of a book tour, seminar or convention.

Neil’s novel has not only been hugely successful in terms of sales, but it has become an important fictional text, reflecting openly and honestly on what has traditionally been seen as an uncomfortable and shameful subject.


Since publishing his novel with Documents on Call, Colonel Surry’s Insanity has been described as the definitive work on bipolar disorder, with noted stockists including Readings Book Stores and Beyond Blue.

Documents on Call specialise in helping authors publish their without minimum orders. They can be reached in their Footscray office on 03 9687 6333.

Colonel Surry’s Insanity is published by Beagles’ Den and available for purchase for $24.95 at neilcoleplayright.com.