Masters degree in Law (Yale, 1993)
Admitted as an advocate of the Supreme Court in South Africa (1994)
CEO of not-for-profit organisation (Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre to end violence against women) 1996-1997
Was accepted at Hedgebrook Women Writers Colony in Seattle in 1997 to write my first novel.
Immigrated from South Africa to Australia in 2001 after a family trauma.
In 2005 my first novel was published, The Dreamcloth. Since then, I have written 13 books, and been published by Allen & Unwin, Random House, Hardie Grant and Hay House in Australia. My books have been translated into many different languages and sold over 750 000 copies worldwide.
I am a writing mentor and since 2011. I have taken women on writing retreats to Tuscany, Bali and Fiji. I set up my own publishing company, Joanne Fedler Media in 2017 and have published several of my authors.
I have online writing courses including my signature Author Awakening Adventure and 7 Tricks to Writing Your Story.
I was selected as one of the 200 Women for the book and exhibition: 200 Women Who Will Change The Way You See The World.
My book Things Without A Name (2008, Allen & Unwin) has been optioned for a 6 part TV series by Bunya Productions in Australia.
My 13th book, Unbecoming, about women in midlife, has just been published by Lusaris, the literary imprint of Serenity Press.
The topics I am passionate about are: Why Women in Midlife are the Most Interesting People on the Planet; Whose Problem is Violence Against Women and Children?; Wicked Problems and How to Navigate Them; The Gifts of Not-Knowing; Legacy (writing your story); Can you change your life by changing the story you’re telling?
I’ve been a law lecturer; advocate for women’s rights; motivational speaker, writing mentor and author for twenty-three years. I have spoken at the Hay House author’s convention in 2017, been the keynote or panel speaker for dozens of events over these years and with my 13th book, Unbecoming just released, am called often to speak at events or be interviewed.