Favel Parrett

Though born in mainland Australia, Favel Parrett was raised primarily in Hobart, Tasmania. Amidst their parents’ broken marriage, Parrett was (and remains) extremely close with her younger brother James, who served as the inspiration for Harry Curren’s character. As a teenager, Parrett spent summers in the far south coast of Tasmania with her mother. The stunning, majestic landscape and rough waters of the region made a significant impact on her that she drew upon to create the setting for Past the Shallows. Parrett always dreamed of being a writer and had a zine called Numb as a young adult, but it was not until her thirties that she began seriously honing her craft. After studying Professional Writing and Editing through a technical and continuing education program, Parrett published Past the Shallows as her debut novel in 2011. She has since gone on to publish a second novel titled When the Night Comes and has contributed to a variety of literary journals and other publications. Parrett’s books have been translated into several different languages and she has been nominated for a host of literary awards. In 2012, Past the Shallows won the Dobbie Literary Award as well as Newcomer of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards.