John Harwood (writer)
Encyclopedia
John Harwood was born in Hobart
, Tasmania
and is an Australia
n poet
, literary critic and novelist.
Educated at the University of Tasmania
and Cambridge University, Harwood has worked as an academic at Flinders University
in South Australia
. He left Flinders University in 1997 to become a full time writer.
While he is better known for his writing on poetry, Harwood made an impact with his first novel, The Ghost Writer, which was commended in literary awards in Australia and which was a winner of a major International Horror award.
Harwood is the son of the poet, Gwen Harwood
.
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
, Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
and is an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, literary critic and novelist.
Educated at the University of Tasmania
University of Tasmania
The University of Tasmania is a medium-sized public Australian university based in Tasmania, Australia. Officially founded on 1 January 1890, it was the fourth university to be established in nineteenth-century Australia...
and Cambridge University, Harwood has worked as an academic at Flinders University
Flinders University
Flinders University, , is a public university in Adelaide, South Australia. Founded in 1966, it was named in honour of navigator Matthew Flinders, who explored and surveyed the South Australian coastline in the early 19th century.The university has established a reputation as a leading research...
in South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. He left Flinders University in 1997 to become a full time writer.
While he is better known for his writing on poetry, Harwood made an impact with his first novel, The Ghost Writer, which was commended in literary awards in Australia and which was a winner of a major International Horror award.
Harwood is the son of the poet, Gwen Harwood
Gwen Harwood
Gwen Harwood AO , née Gwendoline Nessie Foster, was an Australian poet and librettist. Gwen Harwood is regarded as one of Australia's finest poets, publishing over 420 works, including 386 poems and 13 librettos. She won numerous poetry awards and prizes...
.
Awards
- The Miles Franklin AwardMiles Franklin AwardThe Miles Franklin Literary Award is an annual literary prize for the best Australian ‘published novel or play portraying Australian life in any of its phases’. The award was set up according to the will of Miles Franklin , who is best known for writing the Australian classic My Brilliant Career ...
for The Ghost Writer, longlisted 2005 - The Commonwealth Writers Prize The Ghost Writer, commended South East Asia and South Pacific Region, Best First Book section, 2005
- International Horror Guild AwardInternational Horror Guild AwardThe International Horror Guild Award is a recognition presented by the International Horror Guild to recognize the achievements of those who create in the field of horror and dark fantasy. Nancy A. Collins, the founder of the award, felt there was a need for an award granted by a large,...
for The Ghost Writer, Best First Novel winner 2005 - Dracula Society Awards, Children of the Night Award for The Ghost Writer, winner 2004
- Aurealis AwardAurealis AwardAurealis Award for Excellence in Speculative Fiction is an annual literary award for Australian science fiction, fantasy and horror fiction. Only Australians are eligible for the award.-History:...
for The Seance, Best Horror Novel 2008
Novels
- The Ghost Writer (Jonathan Cape, 2004)
- The SeanceThe Seance (Harwood novel)The Seance is a 2008 horror novel by John Harwood. Set in late 19th century London, it follows the story of Constance Langton who in an attempt to make her mother healthy again takes her to a Séance only to result in tragic consequences.-Background:...
(Jonathan Cape, 2008)
Biography and literary criticism
- Olivia ShakespearOlivia ShakespearOlivia Shakespear, , was a British novelist, playwright, and patron of the arts. She wrote six books that are described as "marriage problem" novels. Her works sold poorly, sometimes only a few hundred copies. Her last novel, Uncle Hilary, is considered her best...
and W.B. Yeats : after long silence (Macmillan, 1989) - Eliot to Derrida : the poverty of interpretation (Macmillan, 1995)