Q: First tell us something about yourself.
I was born and raised in Sydney, Australia and grew up with my sister and single father who was a hardworking motor mechanic. I completed my senior schooling years with the help of Government assistance. I always had a passion for community service and helping people and my first job was as a Police Officer in downtown Sydney. It was during this time that I learned the key to achievement was persistence, positivity and purpose. I have also worked as a Flight Attendant and I am a licensed Barber.
Q: How and when did your journey start as a writer?
My journey as a writer started after I returned to Australia after having spent time in Jakarta, Indonesia and Salt Lake City, USA due to my husband’s work relocations.
While living in Salt Lake City, I attended Paul Mitchell the school, SLC and earned a Barbers Licence. When I returned to Australia, I used those skills to help the disadvantaged by volunteering with the Jack Reed Foundation in Brisbane, Australia by providing free haircuts to those in need. It was during this time in 2023 I wrote my first Children’s book, Smile your way to happy.
Q: How do you ensure that your characters feel relatable and authentic to your young readers?
My first story, Smile your way to happy (2023) was accepted, edited and published by Little Steps Publishing. My second story, Learn your way to happy (2024) was published by Little Steps Publishing. This book was also translated into Bahasa Indonesia and Spanish and published. My latest book, A friendship party is due to be published in February, 2026.
This publishing group helped me compile my ideas and taught me the fundamentals of rhyme and structure. Little Steps Publishing also provide a range of Illustrators, and I chose talented artist Valery Vell and have been fortunate that Valery’s vibrant style has been used for each of my books.
Q: Tell us something more about your book series.
All of my books are based around my interest in positive psychology. I believe that it is important for children to develop a positive mindset as young as possible. There are proven benefits from continued learning and persistence, and the correlation between achievement and happiness in life.
My new book, The friendship party, is about friendship, meaningful relationships and how strong and supportive friendships can positively influence children’s mental health and emotional development.
In order to make sure my message gets to the children that need it the most, I donate many books to Children’s hospitals, foundations and orphanages across Australia, Asia-pacific and the Americas.
Q: How did you create the magical system in your books and characters?
These stories came to my mind after reading many books on positive psychology.
Foundational skills learnt at a young age can provide the basis for success and happiness throughout life. Most of the characters were created by my gifted illustrator Valery. She depicted children from a range of diverse backgrounds so that all children could identify and relate to the characters.
I have also had Valery incorporate real life people whose jobs correlated with the storyline to give the book authenticity and energy.
My new book, The friendship party has included a local Police Chief and two senior Police Officers as Police characters in the book.
The idea for this book was from my friend’s daughter, Mashel.
My friend Vera, who is also my Bahasa Indonesia book translator, suggested I write about the topic of friendship as requested by her young daughter.
Also, I was fortunate that my friend Kailey from Salt Lake City, Utah translated my second book into Spanish which will be released in February 2026.
Q: Do you want to leave any message for your readers?
My goal as an Author is to promote positivity and purpose to children around the world.
Especially the disadvantaged or children living with adversity.
These books are a true collaboration between Author, Illustrator, translators and publisher.
