Lisa Fuller

Author

Lisa is a Wuilli Wuilli woman from south-east Queensland, who has been surviving Canberra winters since 2006. Her debut YA novel, Ghost Bird, has won and been shortlisted in a slew of awards. She teaches creative writing at the University of Canberra, where she is also doing her PhD in creative writing.

Where were you born?

I was born in Eidsvold, Queensland; I’ll be shocked if you’ve heard of it. I’m the middle of three girls … that should tell you a lot.

What other jobs have you had?

I was a public servant for 7 years, a publisher for 7 years, and I’m 4 years into life as a sessional academic. While chasing the novel writing dream, I’m doing some freelance writing, and I also still freelance edit/proofread and act as a publishing consultation on occasion.

What themes are recurring in your work?

• Family and community
• Culture
• Respect and responsibility
• Racism and discrimination
• Supernatural elements
• Hope

What have been the highlights of your career?

I feel like I’ve got so much to be grateful for, that I don’t know how to compare them. The response to Ghost Bird has been mind blowing, I haven’t ‘happy cried’ this much in my life. Winning the Griffith University Young Adult Book Award, especially in my home state, was pretty special. But the best part was telling my mum.

Where have your works been published?

In addition to Ghost Bird (UQP), you can read about my writing struggles on the Sydney Review of Books Writers at Work series, Fight or Flight. I have previously published poetry and short fiction in Etchings Indigenous: Treaty (2011), By Close of Business (Us Mob Writing 2013), VerityLa’s Ochre Lines (2017) and Too Deadly: our voice, our way, our business (2017). I also came second in the Feminartsy Memoir Award 2018 for my piece, Story ends, is, begins.

What are you passionate about?

My family and community, writing, books, storytelling, teaching, culturally appropriate publishing, my goofy staffy… there’s probably more but hopefully you get the idea.

Haven’t I seen you before?

Maybe at the Melbourne Writers Festival? I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Amie Kaufman (squee), and I also did a session for their Schools Program.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?

Did you know you can listen to me read the first 3 chapters of Ghost Bird on my website?