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Josephine Pennicott
In her own words:
"I am a Sydney-based writer specialising in dark fantasy. I live with my boyfriend David (a writer and
musician), our Maltese silky-terrier Alfie and Smuchi, our little cat.
Early Years
I was born in Tasmania under the sign of Scorpio, but my early years were spent in Papua New Guinea. This was
a brilliant childhood, being raised in a country where myth and magic were still widely practised. My father can
relate tales of men being raised from the dead, and my memories are still very vivid of this exotic land.
Career
After leaving school I became a nurse and travelled Australia widely like a restless gypsy, nursing my way around
the continent. I still love to travel. I was always fascinated by myth, magic and religion. My parents nearly had a
heart attack when I set off for India, convinced I would never return, as I followed the well-trod ashram path of
previous seekers. I had many adventures in India, and also in the Philippines, where I was lucky enough to spend
time with the renowned faith healer Alex Orbito. Alex renewed the fascination I have always had with the process
of materialisation and dematerialisation.
Burnt out after ten years of nursing, I decided to apply to do a Bachelor of Fine Arts. To my huge shock - I
considered I couldn't even draw - I was accepted into art college. My art always provoked the lecturers because
I was so off with the pixies and definitely did not do the house style! Then I had a very bad car accident, which
left me with a pin and plate in one arm and fractured vertebrae. It was quite traumatic and left me with little energy
to pursue my art. But it helped propel me into writing, and I began to paint with words.
Books
I have always been a huge bookworm. I think I shook with excitement when I read my first "real" book, which
was most probably Enid Blyton. I was a huge Enid fan and it is thanks to her that today I still believe rabbits hold
tea parties in trees. When I was a little girl, all my fantasies were of being a writer and I would spend hours
pounding a typewriter.
My first finished novel was a romance, but I soon turned to dark fantasy, waking up to the fact that it would
probably serve me better to write what I liked to read. In January 2000 I completed Circle of Nine, then entitled
Persephone Rising.
After sending Circle of Nine out into the world, I decided to expand my writing horizons by enrolling in a
crime-writing course. My writing tutor liked my work and contacted a publishing company on my behalf. The
Goddess was truly smiling upon me because in the same month my short story Bait was runner-up in the Scarlet
Stiletto Awards for 2000. In the following year I managed to win the Scarlet Stiletto with Birthing The
Demons.
I am now represented by Australian literary agent Selwa Anthony, who is a legend. In February 2001 Simon and
Schuster contracted me for my dark fantasy trilogy. The first book, Circle of Nine, was released in November
2001 and the second, Bride of the Stone, is due out in March 2003."
Books:
Circle of Nine Trilogy:
CIRCLE OF NINE
BRIDE OF THE STONE (02/2003)
A FIRE IN THE SHELL (to come in November 2003)
Author's Homepage:
http://www.josephinepennicott.com/
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