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.
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
5 Ways to Climb Out of Your Head When You are Having a Bad Day
Do you have those days? You know the ones where you wake up and just feel like things are out of kilter, a little off balance, not quite where you want to be? Even if you have never experienced depression or anxiety (which I have done in my past and that is no picnic), you…
Read MoreBug-busting chicken and ginger noodle soup
Are you hungry? Well here is a bug busting chicken and ginger noodle soup from resident guest cook, Kellie! Enjoy xx It feels like a lifetime ago that I last blogged, illness and injury decided to lay down on my couch, take over the remote and bring its mangey dog too. I was so…
Read More10 Tips To Increase Your Happiness
I just wrote about spending time connecting with what really matters at the WOMADelaide festival on the weekend. There is such a crazy amount of stuff to do in life and a competitive edge to the social media highway. Sometimes you feel like you want to jump off. Mr Recycled and I have been talking…
Read MoreHow to Upcycle a Piano Stool
A lovely DIY project for you from Stacey at the Upcycle Bandwagon. I have had a few piano stools over the years and this is a simple way to make the stool lovely again. It could be used for a range of purposes other than sitting to play! Here is how to upcycle a piano stool.…
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