Isobelle Jane Carmody (born 16 June 1958) is an Australian writer of science fiction, fantasy, children's literature, and
young adult literature
Young adult fiction (YA) is a category of fiction written for readers from 12 to 18 years of age. While the genre is primarily targeted at adolescents, approximately half of YA readers are adults.
The subject matter and genres of YA correlate w ...
. She is recipient of the
Aurealis Award for best children's fiction
The Aurealis Awards are presented annually by the Australia-based Chimaera Publications and WASFF to published works in order to "recognise the achievements of Australian science fiction, fantasy, horror writers". To qualify, a work must have ...
.
Biography
Isobelle Carmody was born in
Wangaratta
Wangaratta ( ) is a city in the northeast of Victoria, Australia, from Melbourne along the Hume Highway. The city had an estimated urban population of 19,318 at June 2018. Wangaratta has recorded a population growth rate of almost 1% annually ...
on 16 June 1958, the eldest of eight children. She began work on '' Obernewtyn Chronicles'' at the age of fourteen. This was soon after the death of her father in a traffic accident.Louise Schwartzkoff, "Interview: Isobelle Carmody", ''The Age'', 21 November 2015, Spectrum, p. 24 She continued to work on them while completing a
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four year ...
, majoring in literature and philosophy; she worked in public relations and journalism.
''
The Stone Key
''The Stone Key'' is a 2008 science fiction novel by Isobelle Carmody, set in a post apocalyptic world. It is the fifth book in the Obernewtyn Chronicles.
Background
''The Stone Key'' was first published in Australia on 4 February 2008 by Vik ...
'', book five of the ''Obernewtyn Chronicles'', was released in February 2008. '' The Sending'', book six of that series, was officially released on 31 October 2011. The seventh and final book, ''The Red Queen'', was released in November 2015.
She was Guest of Honour at the 2007
Australian National Science Fiction Convention
The Australian National Science Fiction Convention or Natcon is an annual science fiction convention. Each convention is run by a different committee unaffiliated with any national fannish body. Bids for running the Natcon are voted on by attende ...
, Convergence 2, held in Melbourne in June 2007.
Personal
Her partner is Jan Stolba, a Czech musician and poet. She currently divides her time between her home on the
Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage listed stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford. Built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 and dedicated t ...
in Victoria, and her travels abroad with her partner and daughter, spending a year each in her two residences.
Books
Picture books
*''Journey From the Centre of the Earth'' (2003), illustrated by
Marc McBride
''Deltora Quest'' is the collective title for three distinct series of children's fantasy books, written by Australian author Emily Rodda. It follows the adventures of three companions as they journey across the fictitious land of Deltora, endea ...
*''Wildheart'' (2002), illustrated by Steven Woolman
*''Dreamwalker'' (2000), a story in graphic novel form, illustrated by Steven Woolman
*''The Wrong Thing'' (2006), illustrated by Declan Lee (rewritten for the US/Canada and published as ''Magic Night'')
*''Night School'' (2010), illustrated by Anne Spudvilas
*''Evermore'' (2015), illustrated by Daniel Reed
Awards
2011 - Children's Book Council of Australia Awards
::* Younger Readers Book of the Year: winner for ''The Red Wind''
2008 – Aurealis Awards
::* Young Adult Novel: Shortlisted for ''The Stone Key''
2007 – Aurealis Awards
::* Children's Novel: shortlisted for ''A Fox Called Sorrow''
2006 – ABPA Book Design Awards
::* Fiction: winner for ''Little Fur: the Legend of Little Fur''
2006 – Aurealis Awards
::* Golden Aurealis novel: winner for ''Alyzon Whitestarr''
::* Young Adult Novel: winner for ''Alyzon Whitestarr''
::* Children's Long Fiction: winner for ''Little Fur: The Legend Of Little Fur''
2002 – Aurealis Awards
::* Young Adult Short Story Award: winner for ''Dreamwalker''
1998 – Aurealis Awards
::* Young Adult Novel: winner for ''Greylands''
::* Fantasy Novel: shortlisted for "Darkfall: Book One of the Legendsong"
1998 – Ditmar Awards
::* Australian Long Fiction: shortlisted for ''Darkfall''
1997 – Aurealis Awards
::* Young Adult Short Story: winner for ''Green Monkey Dreams''
1997 – Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror, Stories
::* Young Adult Division: winner for ''Greylands''
1996 – Aurealis Awards
::* Young Adult Novel: shortlisted for ''Ashling''
1994 – The Children's Book Council of Australia Awards
::* Book of the Year for Older Readers: joint winner for ''The Gathering''
1994 – W.A. Young Readers Book Award (WAYRA)
::* Second for ''The Gathering''
1993 – Children's Peace Literature Award (PEACE)
::* Best Book: joint winner for ''The Gathering''
1992 – 3M Talking Book Award – (NSW)
::* Talking Book: Winner for ''Scatterlings''
1991 – The Children's Book Council of Australia Awards
::* Book of the Year for Older Readers – Honour Book for ''The Farseekers: the Obernewtyn Chronicles''
1988 – The Children's Book Council of Australia Awards
::* Book of the Year for Older Readers: shortlisted for ''Obernewtyn: The Obernewtyn Chronicles''
A more complete list of Isobelle Carmody's nominations and awards can be found on the author profila at