Hi, my name’s nike and I am the author of the novels The Bone Flute and The True Green of Hope, as well as the children’s picture book What The Sky Knows (illustrated by Stella Danalis). I was lucky enough to be the winner of the QLD Premier’s Literary Award for The Bone Flute, shortlisted for two Children’s Book Council of Australia awards, and shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers Award (Australasia). I’ve written a few other books as a ghostwriter: mostly memoirs and general non-fiction, but also a few childrens’  books.

I have also written a bunch of short stories, reviews and other bits and pieces, contributing to publications like The Australian, Griffith Review and the Courier Mail, as well as Perilous Adventures, where I’m currently one of the editors.

I have acted as a literary judge for awards such as the QLD Premier’s Literary Awards, The James Tiptree Jr Award, and the Perilous Adventures Short Story Competition. I judge the QLD Premier’s Literary Award for an emerging author each year, along with a panel of three other readers.

I have a PhD from Griffith University – a Creative Writing and Literature thesis on cultural representations of maternal infanticide – and a deep and persistent interest in academic research and writing. My fabulous, fabulous thesis supervisors were Nigel Krauth and Patricia Wise.

I work as a writing mentor with emerging and established writers who wish to improve their craft. I worked within universities for over ten years as a supervisor of postgraduate research degrees in Creative Writing and Cultural Studies (MAs and PhDs) as well as designing and delivering undergraduate courses in literature, cultural studies, research and creative writing. I still examine theses in creative writing, cultural studies and literary studies, and enjoy working with graduate students when the opportunity arises.

Like many full-time academics, however, in the end I couldn’t find the perfect balance between the demands of the institution, my family and my writing, so I fled into the mountains.

These days, I run Olvar Wood Writers Retreat with my partner. It’s a gorgeous retreat in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, where we work together to promote and support writers. I also occasionally pop in and do a little teaching at the University of the Sunshine Coast.