When I was about 28 years old, one night I was particularly bored (this was pre-kids, I haven’t had the luxury of being bored since having my wonderful duo) so I picked up my laptop and wrote a scene. Then a chapter. And before I knew it I had about 10k words sitting right in front of me. I sent a chapter to my sister and she replied with ‘you didn’t write this’ which I felt was as good a compliment as I would ever get from her. I can’t even tell you why I picked up my laptop that night, or what made me think of writing a book, but it happened, and I’ll be forever grateful it did.

I love this question, because it’s one I often think about and I feel I always make a point to clarify on podcasts or in my social posts. I write spooky. Currently. Though occasionally I feel like my stories nudge the boundary. I feel like the delineation for me, lies in the plot, the culmination of the story and the beasties within. I remember reading that R.L. Stine said the difference between writing horror for middle grade and young adult, was that in middle grade the horror has to be something that couldn’t actually happen - cue possessed masks and under the sink mystery curses, while in young adult, the horror had to be something that could happen - that’s where your serial killers and chain letter stalkers come in. It’s something my editor said to me early on too - she called out one of my endings where a car careened off the edge of a cliff into the water - it was too close to real life tragedies. I changed it to a cursed sea star commandeering the car and all of the humans inside - perfectly acceptable, she said. I lean heavy into ominous, fantasy settings and cliff hanger chapter endings, with spooky characters that always have some witty banter to throw your way, and far less into gory beheadings and the real life horrors that could be lurking under your bed.

Great question. I’m so glad you asked. I tend to use tarot when I’m at a cross roads anyway, so if there’s a major decision coming up in my life, you can pretty much bet I’ve picked a card for it. I’ve quit jobs, left relationships, pursued jobs and pursued relationships, bought houses, had kids… done all the things with the back up and eternal wisdom that only a pack of 78 tarot cards could have! So, short answer, all of them.

No. My Twisted Trails series is self published, but Sadie and the Secret of the Swamp, is published by the small press Dragonfly Publishing here in Perth.

To live a life steeped in creativity. To be surrounded by greenery. And to always, always, follow the joy. Oh, and also finally find some Christopher Pike books at the op shops I visit.

Possibly. A few of my short stories have been published in adult anthologies, and I’m always submitting to more. I have a YA idea burning a hole in my brain, and sometimes love the idea of writing some dark fiction for adults, however, my current brain space isn’t enough for that. Yet.

I fell in love with the creative process. That process of creating something from nothing. From dragging out all those little ideas from the little nooks and crannies of my mind and making sense of them on the paper. I’m a big believer in magic - and this feels right up that alley.

Yes. I feel like I will always have a portion of my work in self publishing. I love the creative control, the freedom and the pace of getting an idea out. Plus, the royalties from indie publishing are so helpful in self sustaining this creative passion of mine.

Both. Can I say both? I’m gonna say both. I love Dragonfly Publishing and the entire experience of getting Sadie out into the world was a joy. I’ve also made stronger connections to my local writing community because of their ties. On the flip side, I love indie publishing. The freedom, the pace and the creative control are next level. I think having my toes in both ponds is the ideal way for me to continue. The success of one world feeds into the other.

The Loch Ness Monster. That grainy image of her out in the loch is forever imprinted on my brain. Fake or not, it triggered a life long love of cryptids and I will be forever grateful. Plus, water is my jam and the idea that there’s an entire world under the water that we can’t comprehend is so magical it makes my bones ache.

Hmmm, how can I answer this while still seeming sound of mind? I think I’ll start by saying, I love writing twists. I don’t necessarily do well writing gore and slasher fests, but I do love leaving readers with a chill down their spine. I think it’s the visceral reaction that horror can elicit. Romance can be much the same, and I’ve written that too. I also think horror lends itself to the fantastical a little more than other genres, and that’s a world I adore living in.

Nope. And I hope I never am. But let’s break that down. I hope that I am never at a desk eight hours a day, five days a week. I hope I’m swimming in the ocean, hiking through the bush, reading in a hammock, walking my kids to school and watching documentaries about big foot. I currently work three days a week and write in the cracks of time around work and life. Ideally I would love to write a couple days a week and help other authors build their own empires on the other days - as long as I still get the swims, walks and cryptid hunting time referenced earlier.

I won’t get too specific here, but I live in Perth, Western Australia near the Fremantle coast. Born and raised in Perth and my entire family still lives here. I didn’t venture too far from my direct roots, however, my parents did. My mum is from Penang and my dad is from Ireland. I’ve travelled to both over the years, as well as a few other places, but I’ll always come back to these sandy shores, and red hot foot paths.