Cirrus

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BiographyHistory

The author known as Astrid Cooper moved to South Australia with her family at the age of six months. She attended the Grange Infant and Primary schools, Henley High School, and Port Adelaide Technical High School, and entered the University of Adelaide in 1989 through mature age entry.

Story-telling has always been an important part of Cooper's life. Her father, who served in the Australian Army during World War II and later in the Air Force, told her many stories of this period of his life, and during her childhood her mother and father both told their daughter stories of mythical creatures. Ever since she could hold a pencil she has written science fiction, fantasy, historical and romance stories.

Active in science fiction and fantasy fandom since 1978, she has edited and published over 100 fanzines and founded SASTREK, SA's Star Trek club. She has a keen interest in history and has studied Medieval History at the University of Adelaide. She belongs to a medieval re-enactment society. She has organized science fiction/fantasy conventions, and has written plays and acted in several theatrical presentations.

Cooper turned to fulltime writing in 1995 and in her spare time has been a free-lance editor. She also presents writing workshops, and is also a home tutor, teaching English to adult migrants/refugees. In 1998 Cooper co-ordinated the Australian Network of Futuristic, Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Writers, and edited Realms Beyond, the network's newsletter.