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Meet Dr Helen Edwards, Australian Author, Speaker & Psychology PhD.
Dr Helen Edwards is an Australian author and speaker who writes stories of nature, magic and history. She has a PhD in Psychology and a long background working in mental health.
Helen is a mid-career SA Literary Fellow in 2025, supported by Writers' SA and the State Library of South Australia. She will be working on a new magical historical novel featuring the wreck of the S.S Admella in South Australia and the Cape Jaffa lighthouse, as well as exploring themes of ocean conservation. This project is also supported by the History Trust of South Australia’s South Australian History Fund.
On Gallant Wings is out now with Riveted Press. It's a sweeping WWII adventure about family, courage and knowing when to break the rules that shines a light on many little-known aspects of the war's impact on Australians at home. Order via bookshops and at Helen's online shop here.
The Disappearing Circus co-written with award-winning author Kate Gordon is coming on 29th July with Riveted Press. It's a spellbinding tale of friendship, hope, and summoning the courage to become the hero of your own story.
Legend of the Lighthouse Moon is out now with Riveted Press. Rich with folklore and brimming with adventure, it's a dazzling tale of family, resilience, and the enduring magic of the sea.
It was the winner of the Category Two section in the Forevability Book Awards 2025, for books that feature Disability, Illness, Inclusion and Own Voice stories. You can buy your copy at bookshops across Australia and at Helen's online shop here.
The Rebels of Mount Buffalo, is out now with Riveted Press. It's a captivating time-slip tale about a girl lost to grief who meets a daring rebel on a misty mountain, who guides her to rediscover her courage and find her way home. This middle-grade novel was shortlisted in the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards. It was also longlisted in the DANZ Children's Book Award. You can buy your copy at Helen's online shop here.
With thanks to Arts SA for supporting the writing of The Rebels of Mount Buffalo and Legend of the Lighthouse Moon.
New and Upcoming Books
Latest from Helen's Blog
My Brother, Finch by Kate Gordon
Kate Gordon is one of those authors who makes you feel things, all sorts of things. She notices the big and the small moments in life and she draws all of your senses into the worlds she builds for her characters. Kate is not afraid to confront pain and darkness, and yet, she does so…
Legends of Living with Type 1 Diabetes -Annabelle
As part of the lead-up to the release of Legend of the Lighthouse Moon, I am sharing stories of people who live with type 1 diabetes – in particular, their diagnosis, how they felt, how they managed, how they coped, and what happened as they moved forwards, including what helped. This is because my main…
The Rebels of Mount Buffalo Shortlisted in Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year
I’m proud and delighted to announce that The Rebels of Mount Buffalo has been shortlisted in the Speech Pathology Australia Children’s Book of the Year Awards 2024! It’s a stellar list to be on! A very special award and one that changes children’s lives. Congratulations to my fellow shortlisters! The Speech Pathology Australia Book of…
The Beehive by Megan Daley & Max Hamilton
Megan Daley is well-known in the Australian kidlit community. She’s a multi-award winning Teacher Librarian, former national vice-president of the Children’s Book Council of Australia, a regular literary judge, curator of 2023 Brisbane Writers Festival Word Play program, a workshop presenter, the creator of the popular website Children’s Books Daily and co-creator of the Your Kid’s…
Australian Sea Lions of Seal Bay
** Image by Nikki Redman Photography There’s a strong environmental and conservation theme running through all of my stories. In Legend of the Lighthouse Moon, the endangered Australian Sea Lion takes centre stage. I’ve learned a lot about these incredible creatures and the history of Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island during my research. The amazing…
Scar Town by Tristan Bancks
Author Tristan Bancks is well-known for his books for kids and teens, including Two Wolves, The Fall, Detention, the Tom Weekly series, Nit Boy and Ginger Meggs, a 100th anniversary book of short stories based on characters created by his great-great uncle, Jimmy Bancks, in 1921. Tristan’s books have won and been shortlisted for many…
Legend of The Lighthouse Moon, by Helen Edwards
I’m very excited to announce the title for my next middle-grade novel – Legend of the Lighthouse Moon! I absolutely love this story about 13-year-old Mona McKenna, a girl living in 1970 with type 1 diabetes in an island lighthouse, featuring the stunning backdrop of Kangaroo Island and the gorgeous and endangered sea lions, as…
Esme in the Limelight by Kate Gordon
If you know me, you will know that Kate Gordon is one of my favourite authors and human beings. If you haven’t read any of the books in this beautiful companion series, you must run out now and get them all. Anyone who has read the other books will have been waiting eagerly for this…
Queenie in Seven Moves by Zanni Louise
Zanni Lousie is a well-known author of many wonderful picture books for children and a supporter of the children’s literary community in Australia. She runs workshops and retreats for writers, hosts a podcast and mentors other writers. Her first middle grade novel, Queenie In Seven Moves, was published by Walker Books in 2023 and Candlewick…
Awards & Memberships
