Welcome!

Hi. I’m an author based in Fremantle, Western Australia, whose tales for middle readers blend adventure and mystery with lots of laughs. They also explore grittier themes like compassion and cherishing our natural environment. The Australian Book Review has described my style as ‘smart, funny and insightful’ — jolly nice of them! I’ve a PhD in Creative Writing and love exploring the wonders of words and imagination. Aside from writing fiction, I edit, review and give presentations. Click around to learn more about my books, workshops and how to reach me; also for teaching notes, games and a few writing tips. Have fun!

What’s the scoop?

• It’s awesome to have a poem in the recently released Right Way Down – a lively, eclectic poetry collection for 9-12 year olds. Lucky last one – that’s mine! Hats off to Rebecca M. Newman who got the ball rolling and, with Sally Murphy, edited the collection, and to Briony Stewart for her subtle artwork on each page. The poems ‘will have you  laughing, thinking, and playing with words – whichever way up you read them!’ says Fremantle Press, co-publishers with Alphabet Soup Books. 
• For a while now, I’ve been head-down on a novel for older/YA readers, set largely around the wild, breathtaking southern coast of the state. Huge thanks to the Western Australian Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries for its belief and generous financial support. (They also supported Right Way Down, wise eggs that they are!)
• That screen deal! It’s been a while since I was jumping up and down at selling the screen rights to the Riddle Gully series. And people often ask… Thing is, it’s about as tough to go from screen rights to screen as to get published in the first place! But everything is still crossed that Chloe Gardner of KIDS CAMERA ACTION , whose screen treatment of the novels was shortlisted for an international award, can bring Pollo di Nozi, Will Hopkins and Shorn Connery to the screen one day.
• The 2018 Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival was an amazing experience (and where I met Chloe Gardner!) The value placed on culture and education in the emirate shone in the many beautiful museums, mosques, souks, schools, parks, archaeological sites and pathways by peaceful lagoons.

Young readers maintain their secret identities with the first Riddle Gully Secrets installment in The West Australian newspaper.