Dick Johnson

James Phelps

James Phelps is an award-winning senior reporter for the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph in Sydney. He began as on overnight police rounds reporter before moving into sport, where he became one of Australia's best news-breaking rugby league reporters.

James became News Corp Australia's Chief National Motorsports Writer and travelled the world, chasing F1 stories as well as becoming Australia's number one V8 Supercar reporter. James is also a senior feature writer for the Sunday Telegraph.

Following the bestselling Dick Johnson: The Autobiography of a True-Blue Aussie Sporting Legend, James returned to his roots to delve into the criminal underworld with a series of crime books: Australia's Hardest Prison: Inside the Walls of Long Bay Jail; Australia's Most Murderous Prison; and Australia's Toughest Prisons: Inmates. James is a twice V8 Supercar media award winner and a former News Awards 'Young Journalist of the Year' and 'Sport Reporter of the Year'.

What genres does James Phelps write in?

He primarily writes non-fiction: true crime and prison exposés, sports and motorsports journalism and biography, plus occasional historical and supernatural true-story collections.

Which book is a good place to start for new readers?

It depends on your interest. For crime and prison readers try Australia's Hardest Prison or Australia's Most Murderous Prison. For motorsports or sports fans start with Dick Johnson: The Autobiography of a True-Blue Aussie Sporting Legend. For creepy true stories try Australian Ghost Stories.

Are the prison books part of a series and is there a recommended reading order?

The prison titles are thematically linked examinations of Australian jails but are largely standalone. You can read them in any order; Australia's Hardest Prison is a common entry point and Green Is The New Black focuses specifically on women's jails.

Does James Phelps write fiction or non-fiction?

Mostly non-fiction: investigative and feature journalism, true crime, prison reportage, sports biography and related historical or paranormal true-story collections.

Has James Phelps received any awards for his work?

Yes. He is a two-time V8 Supercar media award winner and has been recognised at the News Awards as Young Journalist of the Year and Sport Reporter of the Year.