I write books for middle grade readers, aged between 8-14. My most recent book Sick Bay came out in 2019, and I have two new middle grade novels coming out this year: The Edge of Thirteen (March 1), and Elsewhere Girls (May) which I co-wrote with author Emily Gale.
I live in Melbourne with my two children, and when I’m not writing I’m op-shopping, reading or cooking.
Before writing books, I worked in television.
Which children’s book are you currently reading?
I’ve just finished reading Tiger Daughter by Melbourne author, Rebecca Lim.
Can you tell us in two sentences what the book is about?
An Own Voices novel about growing up Asian in Australia, Tiger Daughter is the story of Wen Zhou who is determined to live her own life and not the one her parents have chosen for her. The only child of Chinese immigrants, Wen has to draw on all her strength and determination to forge her own path.
How much did you enjoy/are enjoying this title?
I love this book.
What made you choose this title? Was it a review, advertising, the cover, the blurb, the author/illustrator, or the subject/genre?
The author is a friend and I read a draft of Tiger Daughter when Rebecca was first writing it. I couldn’t wait to reread the published novel to see what had changed. I love Rebecca Lim’s writing and diversity of storytelling. Well known for her YA books, Tiger Daughter is middle grade and a brilliant force of fierce storytelling.
What other titles are on your bedside table /To Read Pile?
My to read pile is all over the place. I have adult non-fiction that I’m dipping in and out of, and adult novels that I want to read. I also have a pile of children’s books that I’m working my way through. On that list is: Hilary McKay’s Saffy’s Angel (for the middle grade book club I’m in), The Boy from the Mish by Gary Lonesborough, Future Girl by Asphyxia and Kate Constable’s, The January Stars.
How did you come by these titles: personal choice/request, publisher’s review copy, or other?
It’s a bit of a mix. I buy books all the time, particularly by Australian authors. I also go to the library a couple of times a month. And sometimes my daughter brings home ARC copies from her job in a local book shop and I read those too.
Do you have a favourite genre? If so, what is it, and why do you prefer it?
I have a soft spot for contemporary, real world stories, but I also do enjoy fantasy. Most of the adult titles I read are contemporary stories, and I think it’s because I use books to work out what is going on in my life and contemporary stories can really help with that.
Do you read from printed books or some other medium? Please expand a little on the why of your choice.
Always printed. I hate reading on screens! I love holding books and reading them in bed. I’m also embarrassed to admit that I dog ear pages and I like going back and finding the points in a book where I paused for the night. Having printed books mean that our house is full of piles of books and I love that. It also means that the three of us in the house will read each other’s books, and I don’t think that would happen so much if we were reading eBooks.
Website – www.novaweetman.com.au