In addition to my two books and my work on speculative biography, I have published academic book chapters, journal articles, and much else besides. My work can be divided into two sometimes-overlapping categories.
Before I wrote my first book I had written for trade newspapers, magazines, and also published academic book chapters, journals and reviews. In 2009 I won the inaugural Greg Dening History Prize for an article based upon my PhD research. Before then I had written and directed plays for both the stage and radio and had a bit of poetry published.
I had also lived a little – traveling through the Eastern Block when I was 17, living ‘down and out in London’, having a crack at jobs in the food, fashion and film industries including a stint in film and TV. I had also made millions of glorious mistakes in both life and love.
My hunger for stories led me to read Theology for my first degree. I also have a Bachelor of Arts with first class Honours, a Masters and a PhD in history – all from the University of Melbourne.