+ FAQs

Date of Birth: I was born in Melbourne, Australia in September, 1974

Where did you go to school? I went to Sacré Coeur for primary school and Melbourne Girls Grammar for high school.

Have you lived overseas? Yes! I lived in Singapore from 1980-1982 and 2015-2021. Three generations of my family have lived in Singapore! As a toddler I also lived in Charlottesville, Virginia in the USA.

First book published: My debut young adult novel, I’ll Tell You Mine (2012) which was inspired by a life changing term I spent in Melbourne Girls Grammar boarding school as a teenager.

How did you get your first book published? On my 30th birthday I enrolled in a creative writing Graduate Certificate at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) In my final year I was published in the UTS Anthology - a short story called Dingo Creek. At the same time I was working on a YA manuscript that I sent to literary agents. I signed with Cameron's Management and then the University of Queensland Press (UQP).

What other jobs have you had? Nanny, retail check out operator, pool lifeguard, swimming teacher, camp counselor, rowing coach, magazine editor, proofreader, copywriter, journalist, manuscript assessor, university lecturer.

Favourite book you've written: I can't choose! They are all my favourites for different reasons.

Favourite book someone else has written? Too many to list here but I do have a soft spot for verse novels.

Which part of writing is easy or hard for you? I find writing the first draft very challenging, but I really enjoy editing.

Do you have any pets? Yes! A rescue kelpie called Puma. She is very sweet and likes to chew cushions and shoelaces :-)

Do you have any kids? Yes! I have an amazing daughter.

What are your dislikes? Banana (except in cake form!) staying up late, artichokes or cold water (but I am trying to embrace cold water swimming!).

Why do you write in verse? I wanted to try something new and push myself as a writer, so I wrote The Little Wave (2019) in verse. It was inspired by the real life Stewart House, which supports country children and the Beach to Bush surf education program. Are You There, Buddha? and Drift (2025) are also verse novels.

What new books do you have coming out? LOTS! I've been busy! Over or Under? is my first picture book and it comes out 30 Oct 2024, followed by The Inside Dog in Feb 2025, Attack of the Aliants in July 2025 and Drift in August 2025.

Where do you live? My family lives on the Northern Beaches in Sydney.

What are your interests and hobbies? I'm passionate about ocean and pool swimming, reading fabulous Australian children's and YA books, travelling, children's literacy, gelato and chocolate.