I live and work on the lands of the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, traditional custodians of the lands and waters of the Brisbane area, and pay my deep respect to their elders past, present and emerging.

Publishing Highlights

• Something Somewhere (Scholastic 2024)
• Leonardo Forever (Scholastic 2023)
• Harmony (Omnibus Books: Scholastic 2021)
• A New Kind of Everything (Omnibus Books: Scholastic 2020)
• The Happiness Quest (Omnibus Books: Scholastic 2018)
• This is My Song (Omnibus Books: Scholastic 2017 / Czech Republic 2018)
• Joyous and Moonbeam (Omnibus Books: Scholastic 2014)
• Spring Rain (Self-published 2013)
• Drink the Air (Strictly Literary 2010)
• Bloodlines (Strictly Literary 2009)
• The Rose Leopard (University of Queensland Press 2003)
• Short Shorts (John Wiley 2003)
• No Big Drama (John Wiley 2002)

Awards

• Story Links Short Story Award (Fly High 2024)
• Queensland Writers Centre – Varuna Fellowship for Established Writers (The Centre of Us 2022)
• ACU Book of the Year (This Is My Song 2019)
• Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book (The Happiness Quest 2019)
• Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Young Adult Literature (This Is My Song 2018)
• Walter Stone Life Writing Award – FAW NSW Branch (Homecoming: A Memoir 2016)
• Creative Time Fellowship – The May Gibbs Literature Trust (2015)
• Australia Council Literature Board Grant for Emerging Writers (2011 – 2012)
• Medal in the Order of Australia for Contribution to Education, Literature and Performing Arts (2011)
• Queensland Premier’s Literary Award for Young Adult Fiction (Drink the Air 2010)
• Best Secondary Book Series; The Australian Awards for Excellence in Educational Publishing (Joint Winner & Co-author, Shakespeare Unplugged Series, Nelson 2009)
• Queensland Theatre Company Expressions Play-script Competition (Joint Winner; Heart 2004)
• Australian Council Literature Board Grant for New Project (2003)

Shortlists / Longlists

• Sydney Hammond Short Story Prize (No Dominion 2025)
• Commonwealth Short Story Prize (Unbinding 2025)
• ARA Historical Novel Prize: Children and Young Adults (Harmony 2021)
• Adaptable Program: Queensland Writers Centre and Gold Coast Film Festival (A New Kind of Everything 2020)
• Queensland Literary Awards: Griffith University Young Adult Award (This Is My Song 2017)
• Western Australian Premier’s Book Award: Writing for Young Adults (Joyous and Moonbeam 2014)
• Australian Awards for Excellence in Educational Publishing (Co-author, English Is Series, John Wiley 2012 – 2013)
• Queensland Theatre Company Works Program (On The Bright Side Of The Road 2005)
• Queensland Premiers Drama Award (Jellybeans 2002)
• Australian Awards for Excellence in Educational Publishing (Co-author, Impact English 1 – 4, Nelson 2001 – 2002)
• Diamond Jubilee Competition: The Qld. Speech & Drama Teachers Association (These Present Times 1999)
• APBA Book of the Year Award (Co-author, Nelson’s Senior English, Nelson 1999)
• APBA Secondary School Textbook Series (Co-author, English Elements 1 – 4, Wiley 1997 – 1998)
• Highly Commended Australian / Vogel Award (The Fourth Window / Bloodlines 1994)

Contacts:

For workshops on all aspects of the writing process, book through:

• Speakers Ink

For writing mentorships, writing surgery or manuscript assessment via the Queensland Writers’ Centre, begin with this link or contact the QWC directly:

• QWC Industry Professionals

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