Joel Shepherd was born in Adelaide, South Australia, in 1974. He studied film and television at Curtin University but realised that what he really wanted to do was write stories. His first manuscript was shortlist for the George Turner Prize in 1998. Joel spoke to Joshua S Hill in May 2012.

In your own words, give us a brief description of yourself (who you are, where you’re from, what you do if you’re not writing full time).

I’m Australian, born in Adelaide but grew up in Perth and still consider myself a bit more Western Australian than South Australian (that won’t mean anything to you unless you know Australia). Aside from writing, I’m currently doing a PhD on International Relations, specifically on Indian foreign policy.

Cat person, dog, or other?

Neither, as I’m allergic to both. But if I wasn’t, I’d be a dog person, because dogs are proactive. You can have a two way relationship with a dog. Cats just wonder what you’ve done for them lately.

What is your favourite reading genre and favourite books?

Science fiction. I never name favourite books because there’s too many, but I often name CJ Cherryh as being probably the main influence on me wanting to be a writer, because she was the first I’d read who combined old fashioned action entertainment with head bursting intelligence and social insight. Which is what I most like about this genre at its best, it’s probably the only one that can be mainstream entertaining and highbrow intelligent at the same time. When it tries. It’s a shame more don’t try.

Who are those writers that have inspired and pushed you?