Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Michael Patrick Mardel (1949-) was born near the city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He has trained to be a teacher-librarian ending up with a Bachelor of Education and a Graduate Diploma of Librarianship. At the age of 40 he started studying psychology as that is what he always wanted to do. He graduated with a Graduate Diploma of Applied Science (Psychology) and has spent his time since then counselling, teaching students how to drive, and being a carer. In 2004 he assisted his publisher on bringing out Library Walkabout and from then on he self-published Walkabout Dreaming years 5-8 and 3-4, Sustainability in the 21st century part 1 (all revised in 2018) and part 2 (Growing your own), Computer Walkabout, Storyteller Walkabout, Music Walkabout, Psychology Walkabout and Style Manual. He wrote the Australian short stories for boys (& girls) over two years. These stories are now available from Amazon through KDP and on Kindle. Other textbooks are available at his website.
Michael has now written a trilogy around the life of Paul O’Leary for middle grade readers. There are now 4 YA books: The diary of a babydyke in transition; Frack off: trouble in the high country and the Kimberley; The Mermaid and the Seahorse; Confessions of a nanny, and A Cowboy Downunder.
In between writing Michael reads for reviews.
He also has a counselling book under the pen name of Patrick Ferreira called Most common questions about surviving emotional abuse…and the answers..for men.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is “A Cowboy downunder: a mystery and a romance. I was living in Broome at the edge of cattle country in the Kimberley. I’d also seen a series on TV about a group learning how to ride a horse and muster cattle.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Peace and quiet – rarely any music.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Joanna Penn – dark mysteries intertwined with spiritual aspects from the past.
Freeman – Blackwell series, plenty of drama.
What are you working on now?
A memoir. At the editing stage.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads have been good where you put up your book for other readers to critique.
Have been trialling askDavid on Twitter but my books don’t fit the general tone of it. I use KdRoi when I have one of my books for free (5 days max) on KDP. About 20 sellers are listed but not all accept automatically and then it’s rare for these sellers to feature my books.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep at it. A plan may be helpful – I used a heap of post-it notes when I wrote my second textbook – like working on a table of contents to keep it tight.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You’re doing OK.
What are you reading now?
Ten Jack Reacher by Capri.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Sell my memoirs.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I guess a Kindle won’t be any good as all my books are on it. Maybe a solar panel and a torch for night time.
Author Websites and Profiles
Michael Mardel Website
Michael Mardel Amazon Profile
Michael Mardel’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account