I am a writer, teacher, and creative.

I have been publishing poetry, short fiction, essays, articles and reviews for over 20 years, but I have been making stuff up in words since before I learned to write. I write compulsively because it’s what I feel I am meant to be doing.

I have also worked in education for most of my adult life, across a wide range of ages, from Playcentre, to working with all ages of school children, to teaching in tertiary institutions. As well as being a teacher, I am experienced with mentoring, assessing and examining, public speaking, and workshop and event facilitation.

Definitely not the stereotypical misanthropic writer in a garret, I love to be around other people. I enjoy creative collaborations and believe creativity is a communal and collective phenomenon rather than a competitive or individualist pursuit.

My academic background is in science (Ecology and biodiversity), and creative writing. I also have a teaching diploma. As a person with a varied background, I hope I can help others to find a balance in their lives, and to connect with creativity, nature and our authentic selves.

I was raised as a Quaker with strong influences from both Christianity and neo-pagan earth-based spirituality. My beloved nana, who was of Scottish and Irish heritage, believed in fairies and nature spirits and had a wild garden where they could live undisturbed. I am a practising green witch and feel very connected to nature and the earth.

You can find my books at Te Herenga Waka University Press.

My file at ReadNZ Te Pou Muramura has information about my literary work.

My PhD graduate profile has information about my academic work and a link to my thesis.