It’s one of those days. Last night I’m looking for someone to write about and came across Mary Elwyn Patchett, so surprised as I didn’t know she wrote science fiction. This morning I thought I’d better check if I’ve written about her before just because she’s one of my favourite childhood authors and sure enough I have. You can see it here or not as you choose, it’s more me being annoyed with myself and also getting some facts wrong. So, having cleared my chest I’m going to write a little more sense and give you a photo.

Born in Queensland in 1897 and died in England in 1989 making her 102, most of her writing was done during her time there. It’s absolutely fascinating researching her on the web. She seems to have polarised people, they either talk about her animal books or her science fiction and it’s almost as if they’re two separate people but the actual facts merge to become one.

If you look at the SF Encyclopedia the only brumby/dingo book mentioned apparently has a fantasy element (I don’t remember the book so I can’t comment) and if you look at Jane Badger Books you only see the brumby/dingo books. The article on Jane Badger Books is quite good. And another one, Pony Mad Book Lovers focuses on the brumby books.

I’m going to try and find some of her science fiction works but it looks to be a challenge, Flight to the Misty Planet is available new but at a stupid price. I found The Chance of Treasure: A Skin-Diving Adventure co-written with Professor Tom Hickey but again, it’s at stupid price. I think I’ll have to come back and write an addendum when I’ve managed to read one of her science fiction books.