Legend of the Lighthouse Moon by Dr Helen Edwards
The Rebels of Mount Buffalo by Helen Edwards endorsment by Andrea Rowe, award-winning author of Jetty Jumping
The Rebels of Mount Buffalo by Helen Edwards endorsment
Cape Willoughby Lighthouse
Sea Lions at Cape Seal Bay Kangaroo Island

Welcome! My name is Dr Helen Edwards. I'm an Adelaide-based children's author who weaves diverse stories of nature, magic and history.

I'm represented by Golvan Arts Management for my literary works and by Lamont Authors for school bookings.

My debut middle-grade novel, The Rebels of Mount Buffalo, is out now with Riveted Press, distributed by Simon & Schuster.

With a neurodivergent main character and an inspiring real-life mountain guide from the 1890s, it's a captivating time-slip tale in which a girl lost to grief meets a daring rebel on a misty mountain who guides her to rediscover her courage and find her way home.

It was recently longlisted in the DANZ - The Diversity in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Children's Book Award. This award has been created to recognise, award, and celebrate diverse children’s fiction. This means a children’s book published in Australia or New Zealand which 'pushes boundaries, challenges stereotypes, and celebrates diverse and marginalised people and communities.'

You can order your copy from me here and from Riveted Press here . It's also available in many bookshops and libraries. If you can't find it in your local bookshop or library, just ask them to get it in for you!

See more about The Rebels of Mount Buffalo here.

My next middle-grade novel - Legend of the Lighthouse Moon - is coming in November 2024 with the fabulous Riveted Press

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 well as drawing on the true history of Cape Willoughby Lighthouse. As usual, I'm weaving nature, plenty of magic, and true history to create a very special and diverse story that's full of heart and wonder, inspired by my grandmothers who were both born on islands in the UK, the legends from these regions and my life growing up with type 1 diabetes. With thanks to Arts SA for supporting this project.

Cover reveal, blurb, pre-order details, and more details for Legend of The Lighthouse Moon are coming soon!! Sign up to the newsletter to keep up to date with details on release dates, pre-orders and events.

You can book me to speak at your school, library or event here. I am available for virtual and in-person events and workshops. Find me at Lamont Authors here.

A Little Bit About Me!

I have a PhD in Psychology and before becoming an Australian children's author, I worked in mental health for many years. I've done all sorts of things in my life, including founding an award-winning charity and online counselling service, supporting thousands of people with diabetes across the world. I was even a state finalist in the Australian of the Year Awards for this work!

After completing my PhD in Psychology, I decided to follow my life-long dream to become a children's author and here I am! I'm passionate about inspiring action for our beautiful, fragile planet and nature features in all of my books. I find history fascinating and uncover stories that may have been forgotten, or hidden, and bring them into the light. I also believe that fantastical things can happen and see magic in the everyday.

More about me here.

Sign up to The Story Weaver for all the latest details about my own books, book reviews and recommendations, and more. More info about bookings for author talks and workshops available here.

x Helen

Latest From My Blog

Selfie by Allayne L. Webster

By Helen Edwards | April 23, 2023

Author Allayne Webster is funny. She’s also a brilliant writer, with an ability to draw you within a character’s mind and heart immediately, and to immerse you within their world. I have read a number of her other books, including the brilliant, Sensitive. Her writing style is light and engaging and with Selfie, I couldn’t…

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The Raven’s Song by Zana Fraillon & Bren MacDibble

By Helen Edwards | April 12, 2023

When two of Australia’s best middle-grade authors come together on a writing project you know it’s going to be something special. The Raven’s Song, by Zana Fraillon and Bren MacDibble, is a stunning book weaving together their two distinct voices to create a story that will stay with you long after closing the cover. Recently…

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Online writing courses australia

The Resilient Writer Online Course

By Helen Edwards | March 28, 2023

I am very excited to launch my brand new online course for writers – The Resilient Writer – with the very lovely Anna Featherstone at Bold Authors. When Anna approached me about developing a course, this one was already sitting inside of me, waiting to pour out. I had been working on the idea of…

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Indigo in the Storm by Kate Gordon

By Helen Edwards | March 17, 2023

If you read my blog regularly, you will already know I am a big fan of Kate Gordon. All of the books I have read from Kate have filled my heart, made me cry and laugh, and have stayed with me long after closing the covers. Her latest book, Indigo in the Storm, published by…

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Natural Rights with Peter Burdon at WOMADelaide

By Helen Edwards | March 8, 2023

WOMADelaide is almost here! The Planet Talks is one of the highlights. One of the speakers, Peter Burdon, a legal academic working on Tarndanya, is presenting his research into the root causes of the environmental crisis and how law can be used as a tool to foster mutually beneficial human-earth relations. His research also engages the…

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Grace Notes by Karen Comer

Grace Notes by Karen Comer

By Helen Edwards | March 3, 2023

Karen Comer’s debut, Grace Notes, is a masterpiece of a YA verse novel, about what happens when the paths of a young busking violinist, Grace, and an aspiring street artist, Crux, collide during the covid-19 pandemic. Set in one of the most locked-down cities in the world – Melbourne, during 2020. This song has a…

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Adelaide Writers’ Week Plants Trees

By Helen Edwards | March 1, 2023

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

By Helen Edwards | February 15, 2023

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

By Helen Edwards | February 9, 2023

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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1st Place Winner
Individual Project Grant 2023
Individual Project Grant 2023
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Recipient Richard Llewellyn Deaf and Disability Grant 2021
Recipient Richard Llewellyn Deaf and Disability Grant 2021