Hazel Edwards
Melbourne-based author of 160 books for adults and children including the Australian classic 'There's a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake', and the more recent female mini hippo 'Hand Me Down Hippo' (Penguin), Hazel Edwards uses participant-observer research such as her 2001 Antarctic expedition, as an excuse for doing unusual things in order to write realistic  fiction and non fiction and for broad audiences of adults and children.
Hazel is available to talk on Antarctica for groups studying journeys. Diary 'Antarctic Writer on Ice' has been exceptionally popular in print, electronically, on audio and in Braille and YA eco-thriller 'Antarctica's Frozen Chosen' (Lothian 2003) has recently become an audio book and is a Premier's Reading List title.. Hazel's Antarctic play in 'Right or Wrong' (Phoenix Education) has also been performed widely as some of the writing based on her Antarctic Division polar crisply Voyage 5 to Casey Station in 2001. Animation 'Hot Ice Squad' is in production and picture book 'Antarctic Dad', (Lothian 2006) is out in 2006.
Workshops in connection with the books 'Writing a Non Boring Family History' and 'Non Boring Travel Writing' have been extremely popular with genealogists, as family history is the biggest hobby worldwide. In 2006 she's running national workshops on 'Writing for Grandkids'.
Cross-media stories interest Hazel and she has been involved in experimental Auslan videos for deaf children as well as many of her works being translated into Korean, Finnish, Braille, French and Mandarin in addition to becoming audio serials. The 2005 Educational Innovation Award was given for the Auslan Visual Storytelling Project and Hazel was also made an Ambassador of Literature by the 2005 Somerset Literary Festival.
'Stalker' set in a radio station, 'Duty Free' set in China, and 'Fake ID' (Lothian) about a refugee Gran, explore issues-based mysteries for young adult readers. The telemovie of Fake ID is being produced and Vanwell Publishing has just released the novel in Canada.
Hazel holds the education portfolio for the Australian Society of Authors is a mentor, literary judge; Tournament of Minds problem writer and her books have won numerous awards. Her characters have been painted on mobile library vans, performed in parades, become part of favourite author quilts and even had songs written about them.
An international speaker, Hazel's talks have included the Jean Chambers Oration, Monash University Arts Graduation Address, the Sydney Town Hall Jessie Street Address, Victorian Women Dentists' Conference and international venues such as American Library in Paris, Montessori School in Katmandu, Nepal, Toronto Library and Beijing University, China.
Currently she's working with Mumbo Jumbo animation producer Cecile Blackman on Antarctic related multi-media and the recently released 'Simply Events' with event manager Jan Bottcher.
Her web sitee www.hazeledwards.com is updated monthly and contains FAQs, teachers' notes and links to publishers as well as quirky facts. Married with two adult children, and a 6 year old grandson for whom she writes a story each birthday, Hazel's hobbies are swimming, belly dancing and asking questions.
How being 'Antarctic Writer on ice' has influenced my subsequent work...
Since my Antarctic voyage, when speaking to groups, I use the iceberg as a symbol for writing a book. 9/10 of the work is unseen.
A respect for the work of 'boffins' and 'tradies' as excellent problem-solvers and tall story tellers has crept into my Antarctic non- fiction and novel characterisation. On-going contact with diversely skilled expeditioners has enriched my life. We still e-mail. They've helped me with plot details , scientific data and photos.
As Tournament of Minds problem-writer, I created an Antarctic science scenario and solutions were performed by 60,000 plus students Australia-wide. More watched.
At conferences, I present the viewpoint of a female, non-scientist, 50 plus author who concludes the Antarctic medical should also test for a sense of humour.
Pre-voyage, I thought physical strength would be vital, but words matter as a way of coming to terms with the scale of Antarctica and many readers have gained vicarious experience because books can travel further than one writer.
I was seduced by the surreal beauty of the icebergs and the serendipitous literary opportunities.
Maybe allocating a Humanities berth will give birth to new Antarctic literature?
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