About me

I began my writing career as a playwright, and then stepped sideways into music for a few years, playing the bass for Auckland bands including Peachy Keen (which released an album) and Jonnie Rose (which released an EP), and opening for The Rogers Sisters and The Slits. Under 'Joyrider Promotions' (named because I rode a motorbike) I put on several events, notably my Girls! Girls! Girls! series for 'girl bands', my International Talk Like A Pirate Day gigs, and a Red Cross fundraiser in the wake of the Indian Ocean tsunami that headlined The D4. Many of these shows were promoted via posters and zines that I illustrated. 

When I got back into writing I started with zines, winning the Auckland Zinefest for a collection of my rock n roll poster illustrations. I moved into short stories and then life took an unexpected turn when I found a day-old kitten and his story went viral. This led to writing, illustrating and crowdfunding two children's books - and raising funds for the SPCA and Cat Rescue Dunedin. 

Alongside this I was also going through IVF, and my experience of miscarriage spurred me to become the catalyst for the 2021 change to the Holiday's Act that now enables people who suffer miscarriage to access bereavement leave.