Sue Whiting

Where were you born?

I was born in southern Sydney, and lived behind the local corner store, which my mother ran. It had an awesome lolly counter. Kid heaven!

What other jobs have you had?

While I was at high school and uni, I worked as a supermarket check-out operator. I then progressed to being a storyteller for themed children’s birthday parties, where I got to be a dinosaur one day, a pirate or fairy the next! My chosen career was teaching, and I was a primary school teacher for twenty-five years, with a special interest in children’s literature and literacy education. I left teaching to work in publishing as a children’s book editor, where I worked at Walker Books Australia for ten+ years. I am now my own boss and divide my time between writing, freelance editing and mentoring, and doing school visits and workshops. I love all my jobs.

What themes are recurring in your work?

I like to write books that keep readers guessing to the last page. Secrets, truth and lies, trust and betrayal, and courage and determination seem to pop up a lot in my stories. But more than anything else, I try to pack my stories full of heart. I want my readers to feel all the feels!

What have been the highlights of your career?

There have been so many! But having the opportunity to share my stories with kids across the country has been an absolute highlight. So too is being able to do what I love each day – sitting up in bed, scribbling in my notebook, tapping into my imagination and creating stories.

Where have your works been published?

My books are well travelled and have been to some places that I am yet to visit! They are published in the UK, USA, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Denmark, Korea, China, Taiwan and more.

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about the power of story, its importance to us as human beings and its ability to develop empathy and tolerance. Story really can change the world.

I am also an advocate for literacy education generally and am passionate about helping kids to discover the joy of reading, the power of creativity, curiosity and the written word. More than anything, I want kids to become confident, enthusiastic readers and writers.

Haven’t I seen you before?

I often appear at festivals, and teacher and writing conferences. I have had the occasional TV interview and have a regular “bookworm” slot on ABC Radio Illawarra – but you only hear me, not see me there, of course!