When you’ve written more than 70 books, it’s fair to say that’s almost a sport.

Ken Piesse is Australia’s most published living sports writer, with 73 books to his name.  His latest is Heroes of the Hour, which focuses on some of the quintessential moments from Australian Test cricket and the game’s legends from Bradman to Lillee and Warnie to Steve Smith.

After 35 years at The Age, the Sporting Globe, the Sunday Observer and the Sunday Press, Ken moved into full-time books and now has written or edited 53 books on cricket, 19 on Australian Rules football and one on the Commandoes for his father and his wartime mates.

Ken’s move from journalism to books, commentary and public speaking was prompted by the passion his contemporaries such as Mike Sheahan and Paul Heinrichs had for their craft. He wanted to be a specialist sports writer and has been now for 40 years.

“As writers you try and make every sentence sing,” says Ken. “Every new book is a favourite. You throw your heart and soul into it – I make it is as succinct as I can and rework it until I’m 100 per cent happy with it.”

Ken used to reside in Seaford but now lives in Mount Eliza, where he coaches and plays in the club’s fourth XI.  He is signing copies of Heroes of the Hour at the Mount Eliza Newsagency from 10.30am on Saturday, December 16.

“I can quote statistics. But I particularly love the stories behind the statistics too, and all the quirky facts. I like to make the reader smile and be fully engaged.”

To explore Ken’s impressive body of work, visit cricketbooks.com.au