12 Curly Questions with author/publisher Rachel Bin Salleh

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you. 

I don’t like pizza.

2. What is your nickname? 

 Mum or Oi

3. What is your greatest fear? 

Looking down from any height and trying to breathe at the same time.

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words. 

I don’t have a style.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer. 

To the point, no frills


6. What book character would you be, and why?

Tintin –­ who doesn’t want to get caught up in all sorts of adventures with a loyal, intelligent dog, a pickled sidekick and bumbling twin detectives?

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why? 

I think I would go far back in time and find out how the dinosaurs became extinct.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now? 

That old chestnut...

9. Who is your greatest influence? 

My four sons. They have taught me about the Four Pillars of Life: inappropriate jokes can be yelled, food can be chewed with a mouth open, vegetables never have to be eaten, and why wear clothes when you can run naked. Philosophies that I swear by.

10. What/who made you start writing? 

Injustice.

11. What is your favourite word and why? 

Cherish, because it is such a beautiful word and wonderful ideal.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?

The Bible According to Spike Milligan. At least I can spend eternity laughing whilst I burn in hell. 

Rachel Bin Salleh is descended from the Nimunburr, Bunuba and Yawuru peoples of the Kimberley region of Western Australia. She has worked in publishing for over 20 years and is passionate about Indigenous people telling their stories. Rachel lives in Broome with her family. Alfred’s War is her first book. For more information, see www.magabala.com.