LIBBY HARKNESS
Writer, Biographer, Ghostwriter
Professional History
New Zealand-born Libby has lived and worked as a journalist, editor, and writer in Australia for more than 35 years. As a journalist, sub-editor and editor she has worked on a variety of professional and trade publications across a range of fields including travel, hospitality, retail, pharmacy, medical and pharmaceutical.
Libby’s work as ghostwriter, biographer and editor has covered a variety of publishing projects for her clients. Their stories cover a range of life experiences including IVF, building successful businesses, surviving life-threatening illnesses, mental illness, and family sagas – including those with childhood abuse and murder.
Her most recently completed commission was writing a father’s story about the loss of his two-year-old son to a brain tumour. The book “The Promise – a father’s diary of loss and love” will be published in 2011.
Birth: Where & How NSW and Birth: Where & How Vic
(Horan,Wall & Walker 1986 editions, Universal 1988 editions)
Looking for Lisa (Random House 1991)
Skin Deep (Doubleday 1994)
Everything You Need to Know About Cosmetic Surgery
(with Sandra Farren, Key Porter Books, Canada 1994)
My Left Breast (Joss & Co 1999)
Barbara Joss's story as a breast cancer survivor.
The Australian Guide to Cosmetic Surgery
(Coulomb Communications 2004)
Among Libby's private commissions are some notable medically-associated works, including editing Babies for Ladies, the 1987 autobiography of Australia's pioneering obstetrician, the late Professor Bruce Mayes and, in 2006, writing the biography of Dr Toby Barton, grandson of Australia's first Prime Minister, Sir Edmund Barton. She has co-written two books with a leading Australian cosmetic surgeon, the first published in 2005 and the second in 2010.
Some press review comments on Looking for Lisa :
"… I would like to congratulate you on a very fine piece of work… you articulate the experience of adoption with great compassion and sensitivity and encourage the reader to gain a very intimate insight into the pain and joy of relinquishment and contact…" R. Wilson, Department for Family and Community Services (SA)
"...an honest, blunt, and open insight into the lives of six relinquishing mothers who nursed their heartache in silence for so long." Canberra Times
"…a journey into the turmoil and grief, as well as the relief and joy, that only adoption can bring." The Evening Post (NZ)
Some reviews on Skin Deep:
"...do nothing until you read Skin Deep, Australia's first consumer guide to cosmetic surgery." Vogue Australia
"...take a look at this very thorough, practical book. The book is completely non-judgemental." Slimming Magazine
