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AUTHOR / POET
Mark
Svendsen was born in Yeppoon in Central Queensland.
He attended Emu Park Primary, Yeppoon Secondary and
the University of Queensland in a self-described "highly
undistinguished academic career". He was noticeable
mainly by his absence.
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He has
worked at various jobs including as a farmhand on
the family farm which involved crawling around on
his hands and knees picking tomatoes, zucchini and
beans; dressing up as though on an Antarctic expedition
to pick pineapples in 40 degree heat; slaughtering
cattle and avoiding taipans. Other work experience
included courier driver, scallop loader, insurance
clerk, waterbed salesman, University administrator
and brush fencer/roofer. Phew!
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In
between those jobs, Mark has published several books,
two of poetry and one novella for independent readers,
THREE MOON LAGOON (Greater Glider). His work
is anthologized in many places, most recently in the
Australian Association for the Teaching of English collection,
THE GIRL WHO MARRIED A FLY.
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His novel
SNIGGER JAMES ON GREY
was highly praised when it appeared in 2000 and was
cited as a "Notable Book" in the CBC awards.
It is a lyrical novel set in contemporary Australia
but with many yarns of another, older Australia long
gone , a place of farms and hard yakka. The observations
of teenage life and teenage problems are wry and pointed
and the awkwardness of friendships under pressure
is well detailed.
His latest
novel set in the Queensland of 1876, is an unsettling
account of the disbursement of "troublesome blacks"
by the Queensland Native Police. Titled POISON
UNDER THEIR LIPS, it is the story of Arthur
Wilbraham, a young well educated and idealistic Christian
who comes from South Australia to the new Colony of
Queensland to help save the natives.
CIRCUS
CARNIVORE
is the latest work from Mark
Svendsen, a wonderful book full of nonsense prose
guaranteed to delight young and old. Due out June
2005. His previous work is
SHADOW SNAKE published
in mid-2004. ***
Link:
www.lothian.com.au
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"Every time author visits come
up in class discussion, I thank you silently! Your initial
author-in-residence 'stint' at our school created such a
positive attitude in the students towards authors. It has
meant a growing momentum of interest not only in authors,
but in books,,, the students already show excitement at
more author visits."
- Yvonne Kamholtz, Clinton State Primary School.
"Mark entertained all year levels
with his stories and poems and demonstarted a good rapport
with the students. All year levels involved are now inspired
and are eagerly writing more poems - Thanks Mark, for your
time and your enthusiasm."
- Megan Mackinney, Loganholme State School.
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