Cath Crowley

Where were you born?

I was born in Melbourne in 1971 but before I started school my family moved to Gippsland. I remember living on a property that was a long way from the town. I read a lot because there wasn’t much else to do. I loved any books about private detectives or adventure – like Trixie Beldon, Nancy Drew and The Wolves of Willoughby Chase.

What other jobs have you had?

I didn’t write books straight after high school. I went to uni and studied radio production and literature. I became a teacher and taught English. I travelled overseas. While I was in Europe I wrote letters to my brother, who later turned them into a musical called The Journey Girl. After that I studied professional writing at TAFE. I wrote articles for papers and magazines. Then finally I wrote The Life and Times of Gracie Faltrain and switched to being a full-time writer.

What themes are recurring in your work?

The themes of family, friendship and love recur in my work. My books also explore how young people deal with grief and conflict. My book, Graffiti Moon, is about young people on the fringe. They’re artists and outsiders.

Where have your works been published?

I write Young Adult fiction for Pan Macmillan in Australia and Random House in America.

I’ve had articles published in The Age and my short stories have appeared in various magazines and anthologies such as Picture This 2, published by Pearson.

What are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about education. I think it’s important that students have time to write creatively without the pressure of assessment.