Goldie Alexander

answers the Usual Questions

Goldie Alexander

Goldie Alexander, best-known for her book My Australian Story: Surviving Sydney Cove writes for children of all ages and adults. These include over 60 books, short stories, articles and radio scripts. She writes in many genres: history, mystery, science fiction and fantasy. She maintains a strong presence in electronic media and conducting web seminars.

Ms Alexander says, "After living in other places and cities I'm very happily half time in Melbourne, the other half on the Mornington Peninsula where my murder mysteries are set". She has co-written with another Melbourne author, Hazel Edwards.

Has your interaction with fans, for example, at conventions, affected your work?

Yes, and in a very positive way in that they give me positive feedback, ideas and sometimes even suggestions for characters to use in my fiction.

Is there any particular incident (a letter, a meeting, a comment that stands out?

Yes, when I first began writing which was quite late in life I received a very encouraging letter from an editor who liked one of my short stories. Though he intended to publish it, the literary section of the paper folded before it happened.

Do you have a favourite author or book (or writer or film or series) that has influenced you or that you return to?

I fall in love with too many authors to have a favourite, At the moment I'm keen on Kate Atkinson, Michael Faber and Paul Auster. That's this week. Next week will be different.

Who is the person you would most like to be trapped in a lift with? or a spaceship?

Obama, or maybe Julia???

Who is the person you would most DISlike to be trapped in a lift with? Or a spaceship?

Anyone phobic about being trapped in a small space.

What would you pack for space? (Is there a food, beverage, book, teddy bear, etc that you couldn't do without?)

Books, CDs, books, more books and lots of chocolate.

What is the most important thing you would like to get/achieve from your work?

Knowing that my reader(s) have gained some insight, satisfaction and enjoyment from reading it.

What is the special satisfaction of your work?

Coming up an idea and then carrying it through to completion and publication. It's like having a baby... all the way from inception to a satisfactory birth... from the original careful research to the final polished edit.

submitted by Goldie Alexander

June 2010

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Just the facts:
Born: Melbourne Australia, but so long ago you don't want to know
Resides: Melbourne, Australia
Bibliography/Awards: My books for adults include the historical Body and Soul, the murder mysteries Unjust Desserts, UnKind Cut, and the very recent how-to plus personal memoir Mentoring Your Memoir. Many of my books and short stories for children have been nominated by the CBC as Notables. Most of short stories have won prizes and these and my articles are often read over radio. My latest fiction for children includes: Lame Duck Protest, My Horrible Cousins and other stories and Hedgeburners: An A-Z PI Mystery. Coming shortly are Gallipoli Medals, and Space Footy and Other Stories.