Lili Wilkinson

Author, Education Consultant, Inspirational Speaker

Lili Wilkinson is a reader and writer of YA literature. She is the author of five books for teenagers. When she’s not reading or writing, she can often be found making monsters out of wool.

What other jobs have you had?

I developed and managed Inside a Dog at the State Library of Victoria for seven years, as well as creating the Inky Awards and the Inkys Creative Reading Prize. When I was first a uni student, I used to be the girl who held up paintings at a fancy art auction warehouse. I am now back at uni, studying for a PhD.

What themes are recurring in your work?

Smart, funny, flawed teenage girls. Honesty. Being yourself.

What have been the highlights of your career?

My first piece of fan mail (and all subsequent fan mail). Winning the Ena Noel Prize for Scatterheart. Getting a standing ovation from a bunch of year 12s in Sydney. Selling my first book to the US.

Where have your works been published?

Australia, the UK, the US, Germany, Italy, Turkey and China.

What are you passionate about?

Books. Reading. Teenagers and their rights. The way that the internet provides amazing and creative ways to respond to literature. Equal opportunities for queer teenagers.

Haven’t I seen you before?

No, that was probably my evil doppelganger.