About

Hi, I'm Melanie

I grew up on a staple diet of books, books, and more books. Although I got older, I never stopped loving children's and young adult novels — and I always wanted to write one myself. It just took three careers and three different continents before I actually managed it.

These days I feel incredibly fortunate to spend my time writing from my home in Adelaide, Australia, where I live with my husband and children and keep a hopeful eye out for koalas in the backyard. My book-lover diet hasn't changed much, though I've added choc mint Rooibos tea and Chicken Crimpies to the list.

The Stories

I write young adult fantasy — fairy-tale retellings and original fantasy worlds, including the Four Kingdoms series and the Spoken Mage world. My stories are designed to be interconnected yet stand alone, so you can pick up any book and find your footing without feeling lost.

What ties them all together: strong heroines, a thread of romance, plenty of adventure, and the kind of intrigue that keeps you reading past your bedtime. My very first book, The Princess Companion — a retelling of The Princess and the Pea — started it all, and I've been happily lost in these worlds ever since.

A Note to Readers

Every single book I write is shaped by a lifelong love of reading. I know what it feels like to find a story that stays with you long after the last page — and that's the only thing I'm ever truly trying to create. I hope something here finds its way onto your shelf.

I'd love to connect — feel free to reach out via my Connect page.