On Gallnt Wings by Helen Edwards
Helen profile 2025

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Meet Dr Helen Edwards, Children's & YA Author, Speaker & Psychology PhD.

Dr Helen Edwards is an Australian children's & YA author and speaker who weaves diverse stories of nature, magic and history. She also offers a social media marketing and grant writing consultancy for Australian Authors - The Author Fairy.

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 coming on 2nd April 2025 with Riveted Press. It's a sweeping WWII adventure about family, courage and knowing when to break the rules. If you lived your life by rituals and rules, would you break them to save your best friend? Pre-orders now open via bookshops and at Helen's online shop here.

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. 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.

History Trust grants
On Gallant Wings by Helen Edwards
Legend of the Lighthouse Moon by Helen Edwards
speech pathology awards 2024 (3)

Latest from Helen's Blog

The Rebels of Mount Buffalo Cover Reveal!

By Helen Edwards | July 31, 2023

COVER REVEAL TIME!!! I am absolutely thrilled to reveal the cover for The Rebels of Mount Buffalo! It has been an epic journey to get here and I am so happy with it! The misty background is a photo taken from the plateau of Mount Buffalo at The Cathedral, which is very important in the…

Saving Charli by Di Walker

By Helen Edwards | July 21, 2023

Di Walker is not afraid to broach difficult themes in her middle-grade novels. I have read all three of her books and reviewed her last one Every Thing We Keep here. Di is able to access the teen voice with great skill, taking you inside the head and heart of her main characters, while at…

Reading Pictures – Drawing Words: Database of Picture Books for Older Readers

By Helen Edwards | July 10, 2023

The National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature Inc (NCACL) is an incredible collection of resources about Australian authors, illustrators, publishers and their creative works. The collection holds books, artwork, ephemera, authors’ papers and manuscripts, and author and illustrator research files. It forms a unique and special resource that is the keeper of Australian children’s stories.…

What We All Saw by Mike Lucas

By Helen Edwards | July 6, 2023

Witches only exist in stories. Everyone knows that. But what if the stories are real? FOUR FRIENDS. FOUR TRUTHS. ONE NIGHTMARE. If you wander into the wood …If you hear scratching sounds from the Old Quarry …If you go too close to the edge … WATCH. OUT. Shortlisted for the Young Adult Readings Prize 2022…

Questions I am asked about the holocaust young readers edition

Questions I am Asked About the Holocaust by Hédi Fried: Young Readers Edition

By Helen Edwards | June 29, 2023

When I was asked by Scribble Kids Books if I would be interested in reviewing a copy of Questions I am Asked About the Holocaust: Young Readers Edition, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. They have been lucky to adapt this important book into a format for children and younger readers. Hédi Fried was nineteen…

The Rebels of Mount Buffalo by Helen Edwards

By Helen Edwards | June 26, 2023

I am standing on the tops of mountains to announce the title of my debut historical fiction time-slip: DRUM ROLL PLEASE! THE REBELS OF MOUNT BUFFALO!! #RebelsofMountBuffalo I LOVE it so much! As well as featuring the setting of stunning Mount Buffalo, it plays on Guide Alice being a rebel of her time, and how…

Sunday Skating by Andrea Rowe

Sunday Skating by Andrea Rowe & Hannah Sommerville

By Helen Edwards | June 22, 2023

Andrea Rowe and Hannah Sommerville are a dynamic author-illustrator team, creating the much-loved and award-winning, Jetty Jumping. There has been high anticipation about their next book – Sunday Skating – and they do not disappoint! In this gloriously illustrated picture book, Andrea and Hannah take us back to the world of Jetty Jumping, with familiar…

The Fix-it Princess by Janeen Brian & Cherie Dignam

By Helen Edwards | June 13, 2023

A twisty-turny fantasy romp, with heart, humour, do-it-yourself projects and a singing dragon. Two days ago, Mum-Queen and Dad-King happily flew off in the Wing-Thing that Princess Shona, the Fix-it Princess, had made them. Shona hasn’t sighted them since. And that’s a worry. But Shona is a princess with a Can-Do attitude. After all, she…

The Garden at the End of the World by Cassy Polimeni & Briony Stewart

By Helen Edwards | May 12, 2023

Picture books are a staple in my book shelves and there is a continuous stream of gorgeous Australian picture books to satisfy my addiction to them! I have a few new ones to share with you, starting with this stunning story, The Garden at the End of the World, by by Cassy Polimeni and illustrated…

Awards & Memberships

1st Place Winner
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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
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