Andrew Paterson

Author

Andrew Paterson is a medical doctor and the author of Rainfish, a middle grade novel set in a small North Queensland town based on Innisfail, the real town where Andrew grew up.

Where were you born?

I was born in Warragul, Victoria, but grew up in Innisfail, Far North Queensland

What other jobs have you had?

I am currently a medical Doctor, as well as an author working on my next book (and simultaneously my next next and my next next next one).

What themes are recurring in your work?

Dealing with guilt. I was always feeling guilty about things as a kid. And shyness, which I was also always suffering from. And the mysterious; the feeling there’s more to life than what we see and touch and hear every day.

What have been the highlights of your career?

Winning the Text Prize and getting Rainfish published.

Where have your works been published?

Australia at this stage. America too I believe, though not sure if that’s happened yet.

What are you passionate about?

Producing something good. Improving. Fighting against the forces that tell you you aren’t good enough to achieve something, and that you should just watch youtube instead.

Haven’t I seen you before?

Maybe from the Porepunkah Primary School kids’ Q and A about Rainfish (Text Publishing — Andrew Paterson interviewed by Grade 6 students). It was really fun to have some insight from readers in my target audience.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?

I look forward to meeting you!