Helen has a PhD in Psychology and a long background working in mental health. She writes stories that reduce stereotypes and increase understanding of diversity, including characters who live with chronic illness, mental illness, and/or who are neurodivergent. She is interested in writing stories that reflect our Australian environment, culture, and history.
Helen grew up surrounded by books. She ‘published’ her first book at age 6, for which she won the Children’s Book Week prize at her school. Ever since, she has wanted to be an author.
Helen has been blogging since 2001, after founding an award-winning online counselling service for people with diabetes, which she ran for 16 years. She has had type 1 diabetes herself since 1979. Over 90,000 people follow her across social media, where her platforms support the Australian literary community with book reviews, author features and other relevant bookish content, and inspire action for people and planet, with kindness and hope.
Helen has won a number of awards, including being a South Australian State Finalist for Australian of the Year in 2016. She is a very experienced speaker and as well as speaking with schools, has presented talks and workshops locally and internationally.
She is a member of Writers’ Vic, Writers’ SA, Women’s Society of Writers Victoria, ASA, CBCA and SCBWI. She is part of the Author Pen Pals initiative and is an Ambassador for Australia Reads.
Helen is passionate about inspiring action for our beautiful, fragile planet and nature features in all of her books. She finds history fascinating and uncovers stories that may have been forgotten, or hidden, and brings them into the light. She believes that fantastical things can happen and sees magic in the everyday.
Helen lives in Adelaide with her lovely family, two cats and a very active rescue kelpie! When not reading, writing or watching good stories, you’ll find her walking in nature, going on road trips to discover new story ideas, laughing a lot, and listening to music.
If you’re looking for a children’s author who speaks from the heart, who laughs loud and loves deep, who is passionate about people and planet, and who understands we come in a glorious rainbow of human beings, Helen is your person.