In prison he wrote a series of sketches of activities and personages in the colony. These were published in the "Colonial Times" and, after settling a libel suit, collected in the book "The Hermit of Van Diemen's Land" (1829). This occurred under the pseudonym 'Simon Stukeley' as a convict could be sent to the far worse Macquarie Harbour for being published. Indeed, it is only through a note in his publisher's (one Henry Melville) own copy of the book that we know of Savery's authorship at all. He wrote his novel during his assignment to the household of Major Hugh Macintosh, one of the two founders of Cascade Brewery. He was given permission to reside at Major Macintosh's Lawn Farm on the banks of the Derwent River, about 6 kilometers down stream from New Norfolk, on the condition that he not carry on his own business. Macintosh and Savery appeared to have established a friendship prior to his assignment and Savery was soon managing Lawn Farm for Macintosh, whilst also being given time to write "Quintus Servinton". After Macintosh's death in December 1834 Savery remained at Lawn Farm as manager for at least another four years.