person or book cover
Monica McInerney Monica McInerney i(A51501 works by)
Also writes as: Mary Canny
Born: Established: 1965 South Australia, ;
Gender: Female
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BiographyHistory

One of a family of seven children, Monica McInerney grew up in the Clare Valley, South Australia. McInerney was a book publicist for ten years, working in Australia and Ireland and promoting authors such as Roald Dahl, Tim Winton, Edna O'Brien and fellow South Australian Max Fatchen (whom she counts as a mentor). She has also been an event manager in the Clare Valley, a public relations consultant in Tasmania, a record company press officer in Sydney, a barmaid in London pubs and a temp, a grapepicker and a waitress. Her first job out of school was as wardrobe girl (and later scriptwriter) for Humphrey B. Bear's children's TV show on Channel 9 in Adelaide.

After her marriage to John Drislane, an Irish journalist, McInerney lived in five-year cycles in both Ireland and Australia, hence the first publication of A Taste for It was in Dublin.

Most Referenced Works

Notes

  • Voted number 8 in the Booktopia Top 50 Favourite Australian Authors for 2018

Personal Awards

2008 recipient Australia Council Grants, Awards and Fellowships BOOKS ALIVE 2009 - Ambassador Author Fees

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat Melbourne : Puffin , 2021 22129821 2021 single work children's fiction children's

'This heartwarming story by award-winning and bestselling author Monica McInerney will delight readers young and old.

'Marcie Gill hasn't had a great start to the Christmas holidays. Her parents aren't talking to each other and the family business - the Snorkel Bay Caravan Park - is in financial trouble. Her younger brother will only talk about his 23 goldfish and her sister is obsessed with tennis. To make matters worse her gran is in the hospital after a bad fall and won't be home for ages.

'But then something magical happens. Something that involves a Christmas competition, a black cat called George and a wishing stone. Marcie is about to discover that if you wish hard enough, dreams can come true.

'Beloved and award-winning Australian author Monica McInerney has written a delightful and entertaining first book for children.' (Publication summary)

2022 longlisted APA Book Design Awards Best Designed Children’s Fiction Book designed by Marina Messiha.
y separately published work icon The Godmothers Melbourne : Michael Joseph , 2020 19616124 2020 single work novel

'‘I don’t want two wishy-washy godmothers,’ Jeannie had said that afternoon in the country hospital when Eliza was only a day old. ‘No dolls. No pink dresses. Just lots of adventures. Lots of spoiling. The pair of you like two mighty warriors protecting her at every step.’


'Eliza Miller grew up in Australia as the only daughter of a troubled young mother, but with the constant support of two watchful godmothers, Olivia and Maxie. Despite her tricky childhood, she always felt loved and secure. Until, just before her eighteenth birthday, a tragic event changed her life.

'Thirteen years on, Eliza is deliberately living as safely as possible, avoiding close relationships and devoting herself to her job. Out of the blue, an enticing invitation from one of her godmothers prompts a leap into the unknown.

'Within a fortnight, Eliza finds herself in the middle of a complicated family in Edinburgh. There’s no such thing as an ordinary day any more. Yet, amidst the chaos, Eliza begins to blossom. She finds herself not only hopeful about the future, but ready to explore her past, including the biggest mystery of all – who is her father?

'Set in Australia, Scotland, Ireland and England, THE GODMOTHERS is a moving and uplifting story about love, loss, hope and sorrow, about the families we are born into and the families we make for ourselves.' (Publication summary)

2021 shortlisted Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) Australian General Fiction Book of the Year
y separately published work icon The Trip of a Lifetime Docklands : Penguin , 2017 11353539 2017 single work novel

'The wilful and eccentric Lola Quinlan is off on the trip of a lifetime, taking her beloved granddaughter and great-granddaughter with her. More than sixty years after emigrating to Australia, she's keeping a secret promise to return to her Irish homeland.

'But as she embarks on her journey, the flamboyant Lola is still hiding the hurtful reasons she left Ireland in the first place. What - and who - will be waiting for her on the other side of the world?' (Synopsis)

2018 shortlisted Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) Australian General Fiction Book of the Year
Last amended 1 Feb 2018 12:05:35
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