Peter Papathanasiou
30 Seconds with
Who are you?
A Greek-Australian writer navigating fatherhood, a day job and fitness, and in amongst all that, trying to stay creative!
What do you write?
Crime thriller novels most recently, but I've also published a memoir and short fiction and nonfiction.
Why do you write?
Because I can't not write. The process both grounds me and scatters me, but it ultimately brings me joy to see a major project to completion. Having a passion like writing brings an escape and makes my life feel even more three-dimensional, to exercise the creative half of my brain.
Best writing advice?
A combination of "finish your book" and "stay tenacious".
What needs to change in Australian writing (or the Australian writing sector)?
More of everything. Authors need to feel valued - financially and spiritually - as significant contributors to a healthy modern society. The scene is small and needs to become more global and less insular. More high-quality independent publishers taking risks are needed; the UK has vast numbers of these which push the literary frontiers. Arts funding bodies need to better recognise writing and properly allocate funds. More diversity behind the scenes, not just on the page.
How has ACT Writers (MARION) helped you?
The HardCopy program in 2014 helped connect me with industry and develop my debut book, published in 2019. Much earlier, in 2007, I also won my very first literary award, the Marjorie Graber-McInnis Short Story Award, which encouraged me to keep writing.
Currently reading?
Research material for my new novel, and also an upcoming American thriller I've been asked to potentially endorse.
Which living author would you like to champion and why?
If possible, I would champion every debut Australian author because I know how many obstacles they've overcome to bring their work to readers.
Peter Papathanasiou was born in Florina, a small town in northern Greece in 1974, adopted as a baby, and grew up on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country. His first book, a memoir about his international adoption, was published in 2019 as Little One in Australia (Allen & Unwin) and as Son of Mine in the UK (Salt Publishing). His second book, a crime thriller novel, was published as The Stoning in Australia (Transit Lounge) and the UK (MacLehose Press) in 2021. His new novel is being published as The Invisible in Australia (Hachette) and the UK (MacLehose Press) in September 2022. He has a Master of Arts in creative writing from City, University of London; a Bachelor of Laws from ANU; and a PhD in biomedical science from ANU. Peter is currently working on his next novel and also on screen adaptations of his books.
