Fiona Hardy

Author

Fiona Hardy knew she wanted to be an author after a terrible retelling of Alice in Wonderland in grade one garnered a very normal amount of compliments that she took far too seriously. Now, she is a bookseller, reviewer, and the award-winning author of three books on following your dreams.

Where were you born?

I was born in Melbourne, Australia, as the surprise youngest child of three sisters. I grew up in the eastern suburbs, and have really only moved about one street directory page away from my last house every time – I do much more adventuring on the page than I do in person!

What other jobs have you had?

I’ve been a bookseller since I did a week of work experience in one in high school – more than twenty years now! I’ve also been a book reviewer and worked in a warehouse, but it’s hard to beat the feeling of putting the right book in somebody’s hands – especially when they come back to tell you they loved it!

What themes are recurring in your work?

The characters in my books don’t always have traditional families, but all of them are very loving ones – and I want kids to be able to see a few different family units reflected on the page. All my main characters have big dreams in life, and their friends and family always take them seriously – because while not every kid will decide on their life’s trajectory at six like I did, you never know when your encouragement and support will lead them to their happiest future.

What have been the highlights of your career?

Winning the 2021 Children’s Peace Literature Award for How to Write the Soundtrack to Your Life was an absolute thrill – I always aim for my books to be a positive experience and it was a very validating feeling! When my first book, How to Make a Movie in 12 Days, was a CBCA Notable – that was an amazing feeling. Travelling to Christmas Island on a Neilma Sidney Travel Grant was a real adventure, and meeting and sharing ideas with a whole bunch of kids on the island changed the whole plan for the book I’d gone to research.

Where have your works been published?

Australia – and How to Make a Movie in 12 Days is getting a Turkish release, too!

What are you passionate about?

Seeing kids get the books they’re interested in – and hearing what they want to read that there’s not enough of out there!