Featured Interview With Michael Mardel
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Michael Patrick Mardel (1949-) was born near the city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He has trained to be a teacher-librarian ending up with a Bachelor of Education and a Graduate Diploma of Librarianship. At the age of 40 he started studying psychology as that is what he always wanted to do. He graduated with a Graduate Diploma of Applied Science (Psychology) and has spent his time since then counselling, teaching students how to drive, and being a carer.
He now lives with his wife in Darwin in the Northern Territory and they have an old Bijon Frize dog called Malibu.
In 2004 he assisted his publisher on bringing out Library Walkabout and from then on he self-published Walkabout Dreaming years 5-8 and 3-4, Sustainability in the 21st century part 1 (all revised in 2018) and part 2 (Growing your own), Computer Walkabout, Storyteller Walkabout, Music Walkabout, Psychology Walkabout and Style Manual. He wrote the Australian short stories for boys (& girls) over two years. These stories are now available from Amazon through KDP paperback and on Kindle. Other textbooks are available at his website.
Michael has now written a trilogy around the life of Paul O’Leary for middle grade readers. There are now 4 YA books: The diary of a babydyke in transition; Frack off: trouble in the high country and the Kimberley; The Mermaid and the Seahorse; Confessions of a nanny, and A Cowboy Downunder.
In between writing Michael reads for reviews.
He also has a counselling book under the pen name of Patrick Ferreira called Most common questions about surviving emotional abuse…and the answers..for men.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I enjoyed my mother reading the story “Snugglepot and Cuddlepie” by May Gibbs when I returned from school so I was probably 5 or 6. When I was in Grade 5 I remember trying to finish an Enid Blyton book (maybe “The faraway tree”) while everyone packed away the desks around me.
I started writing when I was studying for my Bachelor of Education. I wrote a poem around being wakened at 5 in the morning and it was cold.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Joanna Penn
Freeman
Ronan
Genre: mysteries
Inspiration: Penn and Freeman
Tell us a little about your latest book?
Computer Walkabout is a textbook for upper primary students and those who wish to learn about Office 365 and Word 2016.
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles