MARK SVENDSEN

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.

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!

In between those jobs, has 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.

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 Australlia
to the new Colony of Queensland to help save the natives.

www.lothian.com.au

FEEDBACK

"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.