Welcome! My name is Dr Helen Edwards. I'm an Australian children's author, writing diverse stories of nature, magic and history. I'm represented by Golvan Arts Management. My debut middle-grade novel - an Australian historical fiction time-slip adventure, set at Mt Buffalo, inspired by and featuring Guide Alice Manfield, will be published in 2023, by Riveted Press!
I'm also a freelance writer, mentor and speaker. I have a PhD in Psychology and worked in mental health for many years, founding a national online diabetes counselling service, which I managed for 16 years. You can see more about my writing, social media management, speaking and advocacy services here.
Visit my little online shop, with vintage wares, books and more here
I've had type 1 diabetes since 1979 and live with anxiety and ADHD. I like to include characters in my stories who are neurodivergent and/or who live with physical and mental health conditions, out in the world, having adventures. I'm passionate about inspiring action for our planet and encouraging people to understand how important nature is to all of us. Animals and the environment feature in all of my stories.
I look forward to sharing stories with you, because they really can change the world.
x Helen
Latest From My Blog
Adelaide Writers’ Week Plants Trees
Adelaide Writers’ Week starts this weekend and there are so many fantastic sessions on offer! I will be at the kids’ day events on Saturday, along with some of my fellow SA children’s authors. I’ll be popping in and out across the week for various speakers, meeting my literary agent in person for the first…
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Australian Reading Hour
I am very excited and proud to be an Ambassador for Australia Reads and the upcoming Australian Reading Hour 2023! Australian Reading Hour is a national day dedicated to sharing the joys of books, reading and stories. Spend one hour on the day reading, sharing and enjoying the stories you love with others! Australian Reading…
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Tilda, by Sue Whiting
Sue Whiting is an award-winning children’s and YA author, editor and former teacher, who has worked in publishing for twenty+ years. She was senior commissioning editor and publishing manager for Walker Books Australia for many years, before leaving in 2016 to concentrate on her writing. Sue has written numerous books for a variety of age…
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WOMADelaide Kidzone 2023!
If you have been to WOMADelaide, you will most likely have experienced the magic of Kidzone, even if you don’t have kids! The procession of children dressed in incredible costumes after their workshop with artist and storyteller Evelyn Roth, with her Nylon Zoo Story Theatre, have always been a highlight, as they traverse the park.…
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Five Australian Picture Books That Should Become Classics
Join me in my latest video, sharing five Australian Picture Books, all featuring nature, that should become classics. Includes – Open You Heart to Country by Jasmine Seymour; Jetty Jumping by Andrea Rowe and Hannah Sommerville; Wonderful Wasps by Katrina Germein and Suzanne Houghton; Our Dreaming by Kirli Saunders and Dub Leffler; and Ella and…
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Womadelaide 2023 -The Planet Talks Line-up Announced
WOMADelaide is set to take over Adelaide’s glorious Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla, from March 10 – 13, and today has announced the thought provoking 2023 Planet Talks programme. I am excited to once again be bringing you stories and guides in the lead-up to the event, and snippets on the ground during the event. Womadelaide is a…
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National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide
In my WWII historical fiction story, which I am editing at the moment, ready to send to publishers, my main character Ava, takes a difficult journey from Darwin with her mam, after the bombings tear their lives apart. Part of the journey is via train, on the disjointed narrow gauge lines that existed then, from…
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Ten Australian Middle-grade Books That Aren’t Just For Middle-grade!
Welcome to 2023! It’s a new year and I am starting some new things! I decided, over the break, that I needed to become brave when it comes to video. My son told me that I had quite a lot of views on some videos on my (very neglected) YouTube channel from some years ago,…
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The Jammer, by Nova Weetman
Nova Weetman is one of Australia’s best middle-grade authors and I devour everything she writes. Her book, Sick Bay, was one of the first novels I had read that included a main character with type 1 diabetes and she impressed me with her sensitivity and understanding in relation to what life can be like for…
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