Shirley’s first novel was The Hanging Sky, an adult NZ historical fiction. Since then she has had eight children’s /  Y/A novels published. Her first The Stolen, won the Tom Fitzgibbon Award. The Weather-Makers and You’ve Got Guts Kenny Melrose, were both shortlisted for NZ Children’s Book Awards.  The Wahine and Fire in the Sky followed - (the hugely popular Scholastic My story series). Then came, Addie Accident, Through Thick and Thin, (also published in Germany) and In the Spotlight. She assists the NZ Society of Authors as a mentor and manuscript assessor, something she enjoys.  She also takes on private work in this field and has held creative writing courses. She takes an active interest in the Central District’s Branch of NZSA and belongs to the NZ Writers’ in Schools Scheme. Shirley shared the Children’s Writer in Residence at the Dunedin College of Education in 2006. She  loves walking, theatre, gardening, reading, sport and catching up with her family. She runs Quill, a Writing Group in her home town Masterton and lives with husband Laurie and cat Hymie.

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