​Yep, that’s me ⬆️ I bet you never knew a chicken could write a novel! Actually, it’s lovely little rescued chicken, Pearl, but as she’s much prettier (and probably more intelligent) than me, she can stay until I somehow manage to find a decent picture of myself.

I grew up in suburban Melbourne, Australia. After graduating in art and design I went on to a career as an artist and freelance book illustrator, working for many of the major publishing houses as an illustrator (and occasionally as a proofreader and copy editor). I also wrote and illustrated a well-received children’s book, ‘Bertie at the Horse Show’, which was published by Penguin.

The fantasy tale, ‘Winterhued’, inspired by my love of castles, unicorns, dragons and late medieval history, is my first novel. But not my last; I’m presently working on another fantasy (which looks likely to grow into a trilogy) about, you guessed it, another princess - a plain, unpleasant, unloved princess called Burdwan.

When writing, I draw upon the wonderful things I’ve experienced in my life; with a passion for history and adventure, I’ve seen much of the world and voyaged its oceans aboard eight sailing ships including the mighty Russian four-masted barques, Kruzenshtern and Sedov.

A horsewoman, animal lover and animal-rights campaigner, I now live in rural Victoria surrounded with rescued animals, including ex-battery hens, roosters, cats, dogs, six horses and a pet Brahman bull.

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