Dave Vaughan

WORD ON THE HILLS; wordonthehills.com

Dave Vaughan is an author who made a sharp left turn from a long career in transportation into the far less predictable world of fiction and film. These days, the only passengers he deals with are imaginary, loud, and terrible at following directions. He studied writing at George Brown College and went on to write the screenplay for Hokum, which won “Best Thriller Film” at the 2010 New York International Film & Video Festival, and the feature Advocate. His first novel, Ballet of Deception, brought his love of tension and character to the page, followed by the short story Unscheduled Departure, featured in the Hills Spirits VI anthology. His latest novel, Killing Them Again, is a darkly satirical psychological thriller and winner of the first-ever AI-judged fiction contest from MyPoolitzer, Quantifiction, and Blue Denim Press. Dave lives in Cobourg and is currently at work on his next novel.

Dave Vaughan

Dave Vaughan’s journey through the world of drama and storytelling is eclectic. In the neon glow of the early 1980s, Dave first stepped into the spotlight, breathing life into characters on stage in productions like “Inherit the Wind” and “L’il Abner.” However, the allure of the stage soon gave way to the pragmatic call of engineering, leading Dave down a divergent path in the transportation industry. For nearly three decades, Dave’s creative spark simmered quietly, overshadowed by the demands of his career. But in 2010 he made a triumphant return to the performing arts. This time, the silver screen beckoned, and Dave answered. His pivotal moment came with “Hokum,” a film by Jared Bratt that not only showcased Dave’s compelling lead performance but also benefited from his co-writing. This award-winning project marked a turning point, steering him towards the art of scriptwriting, a skill he honed at George Brown College. The transition from actor and scriptwriter to novelist seemed a natural progression. His debut novel, Ballet of Deception, weaves a tapestry of intrigue and drama. Not content to rest on his laurels, Dave is currently putting the finishing touches on his second novel, Babe Lincoln’s Twisted Tale, due for release later this year.