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These included Commercial /
Law and Social Work where he quickly discovered
he was neither lawyer nor social worker material.
Finally, like everyone else who didn't have a
clue what they were, he enrolled in Arts.
After completing his Arts degree
with a triple major in English Literature, Michael
enrolled in a Diploma of Education, abandoned
his fantasy of becoming the next Bob Dylan and
became a teacher instead. |
For a number of years Michael taught English and Economics at secondary schools in the Brisbane-Ipswich area but now he devotes himself to full-time writing, school visits and Festival appearances (although he still does a pretty mean impression of Bob Dylan on guitar).
In 2003 he
won the inaugural Writesmall short story competition
at the Brisbane Writers Festival. In 2004 his
first novel for young adults The Running Man was published by Omnibus /
Scholastic. |
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His second novel,
DON'T CALL ME ISHMAEL! was published by
Omnibus / Scholastic in April 2006. It is a comedy
set in an all boys' school. The sequel, ISHMAEL AND THE RETURN OF THE DUGONGS was published in October 2007.
Michael’s latest book Dinosaur Knights (Scholastic, April 2009) is a sci-fi adventure novel suitable for upper primary and lower secondary readers. It tells the story of a giant flesh eating dinosaur which lost in the Middle Ages following a failed scientific experiment. Dinosaur Knights is an exciting fantasy adventure that will ‘set the blood racing, the heart pounding and the chain mail rattling’.
Today Michael lives with his
family near the beautiful Brisbane suburb of Ashgrove
- the setting for THE RUNNING
MAN. It is the suburb in which he grew
up, where he went to school, where he spent several
years teaching, where he met his wife and where,
only a few streets away from his present house,
in what used to be a private hospital, he was
born.
Sometimes Michael thinks he
should get out more. |
Awards for Michael Gerard Bauer:
- Children's Book Council of Australia: Winner Book of the Year for Older Readers for The Running Man (2005)
- Courier Mail Book of the Year for Younger Readers: Shortlisted for The Running Man (2005)
- Courier Mail Readers Choice Award for Younger Readers: Winner for The Running Man (2005)
- NSW Premier's Literary Awards: Shortlisted for The Running Man (2005)
- Victorian Premiers Awards: Shortlisted for The Running Man (2005)
- Adelaide Festival Literary Awards: Shortlisted for The Running Man (2006)
- Children's Book Council of Australia: Book of the Year Older Readers: Shortlisted for Don't Call Me Ishmael! (2007)
- Children's Book Council of Australia: Junior Judges Award: Winner for Don't Call Me Ishmael! (2007)
- Children's Peace Literature Award: Winner for Don't Call Me Ishmael! (2007)
- National Reading Day: Selected Text for The Running Man (2007)
- Premier's Literary Awards: Shortlisted for Don't Call Me Ishmael! (2007)
- Catholic Children's and Young People's Book Award in Germany for The Running Man - German edition (2008)
- Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis Award: Shortlisted for The Running Man (2008)
- South Australian Festival Awards for Children's Literature: Winner for Don't Call Me Ishmael! (2008)
- Notable Book CBCA Awards for Older Readers for Ishmael and the Return of the Dugongs (2008)
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"We were delighted to have Michael Bauer as a speaker. He writes books that students engage with, and does not disappoint as a speaker. He had the students (and teachers) in the palm of his hand! Michael is a polished and impressive speaker and a genuinely nice person, too!"
– Cathy McDonnell, Head of English, Iona Presentation College, Mosman Park, WA (August 2008)
"Michael is an excellent speaker who kept his audience entertained and interested. Our year eight students who had read 'Don't Call Me Ishmael' were all very responsive to him. Staff and students thoroughly enjoyed his presentations."
– Pat Patience, Blackfriars Priory School, SA (August 2008)
"All students reacted very positively, they all really enjoyed listening to him and felt that they had learned a lot from him — they felt it was very worthwhile."
– Catherine O'Toole, Mercedes College, WA (August 2008)
"Our time with Michael was fantastic - we struck gold, which was also great for me as it was the first time I have organised such a program. Also, I appreciated liaising with [Booked Out] and found the whole process enjoyable and successful."
– Kate Di Florio, Teacher Librarian, Lake Joondalup Baptist College, WA (September 2008)
"Michael was wonderful – outstanding! From the moment we met him at the airport he was the most amenable gentleman. Faculty loved having him here at JIS and we hope he enjoyed his time we much as we all did!"
"I had been reading DON'T CALL ME ISHMAEL to my SSR classes and Michael came and read to them as well. They LOVED it. I finished the book today and the kids’ cheered big time at the ending. They loved it and said it was an awesome ending and can’t wait for the sequel to be released. This led me to a discussion with the kids about Michael and they really liked him. They found him to be down to earth and funny – someone they could relate to and with. They said having the second session with Michael was so valuable as it gave them time to connect with him and also to really learn some concrete stuff. Michael taught them about editing and improving their writing and the students found this so useful – of immediate benefit in the classroom."
"Michael worked with us over the months prior to the visit to ensure the visit and classes would go smoothly. This prior planning was fabulous and he was always so wonderful about ideas and offered great suggestions as well."
"We would love to have Michael come again to Jakarta International School. He was AWESOME!"
– Jakarta International School, Indonesia
"Michael's visit
was nothing short of brilliant! He was great from word
go - easy to contact and willing to discuss our specific
needs and wishes. His talks with the students were great.
He knows how to get them interested and was very funny.
His workshops were great - we should have booked him
for a week!"
"It has been quite a job to keep the copies of
'The Running Man' circulating! Students were inspired
and enthused and many have been encouraged to enter
competitions and read more widely. Staff were re-energised
(particularly myself!)."
"Next time we will allow a few days for more workshops/lectures/professional
development. Now that we know how easy and rewarding
it is, we will be regulars!"
– Rockhampton Grammar School |
