When I was six, my parents took me to China on holiday. I really wanted my mum* to read me Snugglepot & Cuddlepie, but she was understandably over the gumnut babies after the ten zillionth read, so she suggested that I might try reading it by myself.

And that was the day I learnt to read in my head.

Since then I’ve read many, many books, and written a few as well.

I was first published when I was 12, in Voiceworks magazine.

I studied Creative Arts at Melbourne Uni, and then went and taught English in Japan for a while. When I came back, I got a job at the Centre for Youth Literature, at the State Library of Victoria, where I now manage a website called insideadog.com.au, about books for teenagers.

I work part-time at the Library, and spend the rest of my time writing. I live in Melbourne. I am an only child, but my parents have a very cute dog called Rita who they love more than me**.

1. *You might have heard of her. Her name is Carole Wilkinson.
   
   

** Mum has asked me to let you know that this is not true.