Books By Alison Croggon - Author

Alison Croggon is the acclaimed author of the Books of Pellinor, a high fantasy quartet which consists of The Gift, The Riddle, The Crow and The Singing. Alison is also an award-winning poet whose work has been published extensively in anthologies and magazines internationally. She has written widely for theatre, and her plays and opera libretti have been produced all around Australia.

Alison Croggon writes...

As a child

I was born in South Africa, because my father was working there as a mining engineer. He moved the family to his native Cornwall when I was four years old, and then to Australia when I was seven. As a result, I spent most of my childhood being confused. This is probably why reading The Lord of the Rings, at ten, was such a turning-point in my life. But then, I always liked making things up.

As an adult

When I left school, I became a cadet journalist on a daily newspaper in Melbourne. I resigned after five years, in order to spend more time writing, and have written more or less full-time ever since. I had a brief period of notoriety as a theatre critic, during which I made a spot on Sixty Minutes, but otherwise I live a quiet and blameless life, in a seaside suburb of Melbourne. I am happiest when I am working hard on something new. I have three children, who are all very excited that I am writing fantasy novels, and am married to the playwright, Daniel Keene.

As an artist

I have published several books of poetry. My poetry has won, or been nominated for, numerous awards and has been published internationally, in many journals. I have written extensively for the theatre, including two operas and several plays, which have been produced all over Australia. I am also a critic and literary editor. I started writing fantasy in 1999, and The Gift was nominated for two Aurealis awards in 2002.

Things you didn't know about Alison Croggon

1. I hate swimming and was always chosen last for teams in schools sports.
2. I like Swiss chocolate.
3. I love playing Nintendo.
4. I like big dogs but own a Chihuahua.
5. One of my three cats has only three legs.
6. I love coffee and think I was born to sit in cafes.
7. I have a Dalmatian dressing gown (white with black spots), which makes my children laugh.
8. I cannot ride a bike, but can ride a horse.
9. I am a very bad gardener, but love gardens.
10. I have been to Iceland and eaten dried fish that tasted like cardboard.