About Michael Mardel:
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. 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 (being revised), Storyteller Walkabout, Music Walkabout. He wrote the Australian short stories for boys (& girls) over two years. These stories are now available from Amazon through KDP and on Kindle.
Michael has now written a trilogy around the life of Paul O’Leary for middle grade readers about life in the country and overseas. There are now a few YA books: Frack off: trouble in the high country and the Kimberley; The Mermaid and the Seahorse; and A Cowboy Downunder.
What inspires you to write?
To tell a story – the first four books I wrote were for boys in middle grade as there were very few in the school libraries where I worked.
Tell us about your writing process.
I'm a bit of both. I might start with an idea until I need to outline it – I had a large sketch book and use Venn diagrams. For my book on Aboriginal history, I used a lot of post-it notes – on the wall. This helped me to tie different ideas together.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I put myself in their shoes. E.g. in A Cowboy Downunder, I pictured Paul learning his way around mustering cattle as well as having a romance.
What advice would you give other writers?
Stick at it – no-one else can do it for you unless you engage a ghost writer.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I had my first book published by a school friend – Library Walkabout. We couldn't decide on something (too long ago) and I decided to market my books on my own. Then I found Amazon and published my stories with them. I use KDP exclusively so none of my books are with any other publisher.
I did try Smashwords for a while (very picky on layout) and Kobo, where I had two of my books for free.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
So long as there are readers, authors will keep churning out the stories.
What do you use?: Professional Cover Designer
What genres do you write?: Children-action and adventure
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Michael Mardel Home Page Link
Link To Michael Mardel Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
