About the Author

I am a poet and novelist living in Texas after eight years in New Zealand and seventeen years in Zimbabwe. I have released three critically-acclaimed novels for adults so far, The Cry of the Go-Away Bird, The White Shadow, and The Strength of a Fish, as well as the first two volumes of Rennies, a YA fantasy novel, Heartbreak, and the first two books in The Lost Land Chronicles, The Lucky Black C.A.T. and The Wizard’s Heir. The White Shadow was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize in 2012. I have also released two collections of poetry: The Making of Stones, and New Monsters.

When not writing, I perform as a storytelling faery at Sherwood Forest Faire and other events, and live in the gorgeous Texas countryside with her husband—rock musician, Kenny Heavin, a.k.a. Jimi Dharma—and five ungrateful cats: Mo, Milo, Monty, Miss Maggie, and Merlin.