A biography is where you tell things about yourself. There's fifty of my books out there that tell quite a lot about me. But if you just want a few basic facts (plus a tiny bit of silliness because I can't help myself) here it is:
I write because I love stories: reading, telling and writing them. There are wonderful moments happen when readers laugh, think and, sometimes, cry.
In grade two at school I won a writing prize, a silver star handed out at assembly, for writing 'A Day in the Life of a Rubber Ball.' That was also the year I ran slowly in kiss chasey when Gary Allan was 'it'.
In grade seven I was hit in the head by a discus, which ended a romance with Roger. He threw the discus.
I also fell off the monkey bars, which ended any possible romance with anyone that year because they were all watching.
I often give talks in schools and speak at writers' festivals and conferences. In 1995 two of my short stories were adapted for the stage by Outlet Dance, which toured schools and was performed at the Space, Festival Theatre.
In 2006 I was thrilled to win the Carclew Fellowship (South Australian Festival Awards for Literature).
Jamil's Shadow was shortlisted for Children's Book Council Book of the Year 2002. Foreign Devil won an Aurealis Award 2000 for speculative fiction. Many of my other books are Children's Book Council Notable Books and I've been short-listed for children's choice awards and the Psychologists for Peace Literature Awards. Phew!
I am a proud member of the Australian Society of Authors, South Australian Writers' Centre and PEN.
