SUSANNE GERVAY
As a lecturer, teacher, educational specialist with a Master of Education (UNSW) and an author with an MA in creative writing (UTS), Susanne writes with insight into issues that affect both children and adults. In her writing she tackles important questions about divorce, bullying, burns, male youth culture, feminism and events that have touched her, creating memorable characters and stories that continue beyond the page.

Susanne’s most recent book is That’s Why I Wrote This Song – an exciting collaboration with her musician daughter Tory Gervay. It’s not just a novel but a multi-media text, combining the words, lyrics and music, and also a video film clip on Youtube (or My Space). This innovative project has been a challenging and successful publication adventure, and is described by a reviewer in Magpies (vol 41) as ‘the interaction of life with art’.

An award-winning writer, Susanne's other books include Jamie's a Hero, Next Stop the Moon, Shadow of Olive Trees and I Am Jack (written for her son when he was bullied). I Am Jack is used extensively in anti-bullying programs and has been endorsed by Life Education Australia: I Am Jack celebrates the uniqueness of each individual child while aiming to show children that they are not alone and can overcome bullying. I Am Jack has now been adapted as a play by the award winning theatre company Monkey Baa Theatre for Young People and is to tour nationally in 2011. The sequel, SuperJack, deals with blended families and the issues involved with ageing grandparents. These issues are handled with Susanne's usual humour and warmth and, once again, the book has been endorsed by Life Education Australia.

Susanne's young adult novels are used extensively in senior English courses for the core area of 'Journeys'. Butterflies, which explores the impact of burns on a family, is endorsed by the Children's Hospital at Westmead. Louise Sauvage, the Sportsperson of the World for Disability, has said of this book 'Challenges are faced by each of us every day of our life. Those 'challenges' are greater for some than for others. Butterflies explores growing up and ultimately celebrates dealing with life.' Susanne's second novel for young adults, The Cave, explores the world of adolescent males. Themes of mateship and courage are set against the backdrop of youth male culture and the Australian wilderness.

Uncompromising and honest, Susanne's writing reveals herself - her two children, divorce, being a sole parent, her refugee parents who came from post war Europe, her passion for Australian heritage, her work in the restoration of The Hughenden (a heritage hotel in Sydney) and her commitment to literature.

Teaching notes for That's Why I Wrote This Song, The Cave, Butterflies, I Am Jack and SuperJack are available on her website

Feedback from Susanne's school visits:

"Students were very enthusiastic. Many stayed back at the end of each session to talk to Susanne and several came up to the library and spoke with her for 15 minutes before she left."
"Really enjoyed Susanne's visit with us. She communicates very well with the girls. I have never seen such a response to a visiting author before!"

Click here for a list of Susanne's published books

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