Two That Got Away is the unforgiving tale of Possum Wright and 'Rus,' who fish for lobster on a small vessel in the Southern Ocean.

Jim Ewing's sense of humour and wit help transpire the words on paper into universal laughter, as the characters stumble across eccentric circumstances inspired by his own worldly travels.

"I've always had the wanderlust, and I've got a daughter now with that same wanderlust, it must be in the genes," Mr Ewing chuckled.

"I hitchhiked around the world and picked up jobs along the way.

"Most of the jobs that I picked up over the years were to do with the ocean, working on it or under it as a diver."

His life experiences include working titles such as merchant seaman, fisherman, psychiatric nurse, bulldozer operator, stockman, journalist, actor, playwright and farmer.

But alongside these esteemed positions, Jim also played AFL for Leeton, during what he likes to call "the dark ages."

He held the position of centre half-back, and was a critical part of the Leeton-Whitton Crows' premiership season in 1971.

"Four of us got rubbed out after that 71' grand final, I copped three weeks," Ewing laughed.

"But it wasn't a vicious game, just a few nervous punches exchanged early, then both sides settled down and played footy."

Leeton had held the wooden spoon for three consecutive years before their win in 1971, making for a particularly sweet victory.

Jim then went on to hold the role of assistant coach at Lockhart in 1973, and refers to the years he spent in the MIA community as some of the best in his life.

"The year I had playing at Leeton, the year we won the premiership, was by far the best year of my life football-wise," Ewing explained.

"And one of the best years of my life in any respect."

The Leeton larrakin travelled internationally for a total of five years, mustering worldly experience and travellers tales from across the globe.

These attributes are visible throughout Two That Got Away, with both The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald giving the book glowing reviews.

"The novel itself is written to the pace of a day's fishing," Mr Ewing explained.

"There's always something interesting, especially if the weather is against you, or something else comes out of the blue."

Jim Ewing is currently writing his third novel, which covers topics including the bluegum industry and illegal activities in horse racing.

Two That Got Away is available now through Black Pepper Publishing and Leeton Newsagency.

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