carolyn "bunty" avieson is an australian journalist, feature writer, novelist and academic. she has a phd (mq), a master of philosophy (mq) and an associate diploma of journalism (rmit). in 2008–2009 she worked as a media consultant to newspaper "bhutan observer," partly funded by the united nations development program and was a consultant to journalists without borders, asia pacific desk. she has published three novels, a novella and travel memoir; and been translated into japanese, german and thai. she is the recipient of two ned kelly crime writing awards. in the 1990s she was editorial director of mass market women's magazines, "woman's day" and "new idea".