Aussie Readers discussion

From Kim (UK)

I've been considering this and remembered the useful website 'Fantastic Fiction'. Just looked on this and they have a 'Countries' page which produces the following list of 'Authors from Australia'
- link is here:-
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/coun...

- don't know if there are some on there you wouldn't accept but apparently there are 693!:-


Thanks Kim!

I'm afraid that list isn't up to date because I just checked for two of my favourite authors and neither are there. So while a good resource, it's not comprehensive unfortunately.

Brenda wrote: "I'm afraid that list isn't up to date because I just checked for two of my favourite authors and neither are there. So while a good resource, it's not comprehensive unfortunately."

Hi Brenda, Further to queries re Aussie authors, I've just bought a book called The Lost Boy by S.A. McEwen - it's set in Australia but wondered if the author herself is Australian? Her bio doesn't say!

I'll see if I can find out Kim - back soon...

It says she was born in Australia Kim, so yes, she's Aussie :)

Kim wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I'm afraid that list isn't up to date because I just checked for two of my favourite authors and neither are there. So while a good resource, it's not comprehensive unfortunately."

..."

That's a coincidence. I just finished a book called The Lost Boy but it was by Rachel Amphlett who also has a claim to be Aussie.

Haha it sure is 😁

Brenda wrote: "It says she was born in Australia Kim, so yes, she's Aussie :)"

Thanks Brenda that's another Aussie author for my list!
They're pretty hard to come by over here!!
Incidentally, I have had The Good Turn by Dervla McTiernan on request at my local library for months now with no progress beyond 'ordering this title' - I've recently chased it up and the library told me that publication of the book has been cancelled! I presume only in the UK?!

That's weird Kim. Seeing as it was originally published in 2020 I can't see how they could say it's 'cancelled'!! Have you looked online for second hand copies, or ebooks?

Brenda wrote: "That's weird Kim. Seeing as it was originally published in 2020 I can't see how they could say it's 'cancelled'!! Have you looked online for second hand copies, or ebooks?"

I have been checking online and, even today, only new copies available here in UK at £12.37 for paperback and £27.59 for hardback - which I really resent having to pay - and no ebook version at all except audio! Will just have to wait for secondhand ones to filter through - or try a secondhand book site based in Australia (despite extra postage costs).

What about Book Depository? Free postage and in the UK? I guess they would be expensive though. I hope you can find yourself a copy soon Kim.

I've made a list and potted history of the Miles Franklin Award winners

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Jazzy wrote: "I've made a list and potted history of the Miles Franklin Award winners

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."

Tried to see your list Jazzy but apparently I have to be a member of the Classics group 🤔

An alternative Jazzy?

Jazzy, is the groups membership invite only? That would be stopping non group members looking at the post I think.

Yes, you had to ask to join.

Tell you what, I've made it public, and if you fancy you may peruse the list at your pleasure ❤️

Jazzy wrote: "Yes, you had to ask to join.

Tell you what, I've made it public, and if you fancy you may peruse the list at your pleasure ❤️"

Terrific list Jazzy. I was lucky to meet about half of the authors on the list at the Toronto International Festival of Authors over the years.
And thanks for the invite. I might have to join just for the Top of the Pops discussion 😉

You got to meet them? Lucky you!
Toronto is the home of fried ice cream!

and thank you very much x

Jazzy, I had no idea but I do love fried ice cream....Mmmmm 😋

Hi Brenda/Phrynne,
I've come across some books on Amazon by an author called Vanessa Garbin - the blurb claims she is an Aussie author but just wondered if you could confirm this please?

Yes, you're right Kim. She lives in Western Australia :) Good catch!

Brenda wrote: "Yes, you're right Kim. She lives in Western Australia :) Good catch!"

I thought so too! The Lies I Told Him from October 2021 is currently free on Amazon here and The Steps We Take from May 2022 is 99 pence so will be snapping these up to boost my Aussie author books (which aren't easy/cheap to get over here!).

Good idea! And yes, take them while you can :)

Free on Amazon US too Kim! Thanks :)

Kim wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Yes, you're right Kim. She lives in Western Australia :) Good catch!"

I thought so too! The Lies I Told Him from October 2021 is currently free on Amazon here and [b..."

Thanks Kim! It’s free up here in Canada too 📚 👍🏻

Yay! Hope we all like her Anne!

Noticed that Sally Rigby isn’t on the FF list, probably because she was born in the UK but she’s lived in NZ since 2001

Yes that would be why Anne...

Just come across an author of 'steamy romances' called Daniella Brodsky - seems she now lives in Australia and most of her male characters are Aussie, so would she be regarded as an Aussie author for Challenge purposes?

Yes Kim :) I'll add her shortly, thanks.

I added her to the diverse list and will get Phrynne to add her to our long lists of Aussie authors - thanks Kim!

here's a nice list of aussie novelists
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...

and a good resource for non-fiction authors
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categor...

Thanks Jazzy :)

Aussie Sci-Fi Authors
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categor...

Australian Jewish Writers
https://www.jewishaustralia.com/?Page...

Thanks Jazzy!

Brenda wrote: "From Kim (UK)

I've been considering this and remembered the useful website 'Fantastic Fiction'. Just looked on this and they have a 'Countries' page which produces the following list of 'Authors f..."

Sadly the Fantastic Fiction page no longer exists.

You're kidding!!! I wonder why or how that happened Patty??!!

Jazzy wrote: "here's a nice list of aussie novelists
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..."

I was really interested to read through this list as I am always struggling to find 'Aussie authors' in the UK.
Some names that came up as 'AA's I was quite surprised about:

Colin Cotterill (still not sure why he is classified by Wiki as AA!)
Ben Elton (now lives in Oz I understand)
Michel Faber (childhood and early working in Oz)

I would be interested to know if any or all of these are acceptable as Aussie authors for Group challenges!

Kim wrote: "Some names that came up as 'AA's I was quite surprised about:

Colin Cotterill (still not sure why he is classified by Wiki as AA!)
Ben Elton (now lives in Oz I understand)
Michel Faber (childhood and early working in Oz)"

"Ben Elton began his professional career in 1981. Ben married Australian musician Sophie Gare in 1994 and became an Australian citizen in 2004. He and Sophie have three children and live in Fremantle Western Australia."

I'd say that qualifies him as an AA, Kim, but we might need to wait on a judge's ruling...

Kim wrote: "Jazzy wrote: "here's a nice list of aussie novelists
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..."

I was really interested to read through this list as I am always struggling to find..."

I checked all three of those for you Kim, and yes, they are all AAs and are fine for use in challenges :)

Thanks Sarah :)

Brenda wrote: "Kim wrote: "Jazzy wrote: "here's a nice list of aussie novelists
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..."

I was really interested to read through this list as I am always strugg..."

Thanks Brenda and Sarah :)