Fiona Harris

Fiona Harris is an award-winning author, scriptwriter, and performer with more than twenty years of experience across publishing, television, and theatre.

She has written 43 books for leading Australian publishers — including Affirm Press, Allen & Unwin, Scholastic, and Echo Publishing — with six new titles due for release in 2026 & 2027.

Most recently, Fiona has written two middle grade fiction novels, The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks, for Affirm Press, and The Rebound for Allen & Unwin, as well as five books in the new junior fiction series, Sleepover BFFs for Scholastic. She has also penned a collection of short bedtime stories for Walker Books and two graphic novels. These are all due for release in 2026 & 2027.

Her other books include Holocaust survivor Abram Goldberg’s memoir, The Strength of Hope; five books in Liz Watson's junior fiction series, Diary of a Netball Star; three books in the Trolls series for Dreamworks; and two picture books for footballer Marcus Bontompelli. She also co-authored the children's book series, The Super Moopers, with Sally Rippin, and wrote four books in the Miraculous series, based on the animated kids TV series. She has also written two adult fiction novels, The Drop-off and The Pick-up

Fiona co-created the award-winning comedy web series, The Drop Off, with her husband, Mike, McLeish, which aired on Channel 9, and in 2025 they co-adapted the script for the Dolly Parton musical, Here You Come Again for Australian audiences. Fiona has acted in numerous TV shows including The Beautiful Lie, Tangle and The Librarians. Her TV writing credits include Flipside, Skithouse and Prank Patrol. 

Alongside her creative achievements, Fiona is a dedicated community advocate and presenter with over 15 years of experience running workshops for adults and students, mentoring young writers, and hosting events that celebrate local stories and voices. Her ability to connect with diverse audiences has made her a familiar and trusted presence at school fetes, assemblies, writers festivals, and Book Week events across Victoria.

Fiona has emceed the Glen Eira Seniors Festival’s Not Strictly Ballroom event, hosted the My Brother Jack Awards and Community Awards multiple times, as well as emceed the Australian Cinematographer’s Society Awards. She continues to champion creativity and connection through her outreach, and her talks and workshops are known for their inclusivity, emotional resonance, and ability to inspire confidence and imagination in every participant.

Fiona brings a rare blend of creative excellence and community spirit to everything she does, and her work is driven by a belief in the power of stories to connect, uplift, and transform.

Where were you born?

I grew up in Melbourne’s Western suburbs, in a working-class family, where the most creative anyone got was painting a banner for the local football players to run through in the Grand Final.

What other jobs have you had?

From the time I finished high school until my first full-time job in television at the age of 30, I did every job under the sun from waitressing and bartending, to cleaning houses and working as a courtesy car driver for Brighton Mazda. I also delivered sandwiches to offices in Piccadilly Circus on a bike (mostly through the snow) and dressed in a giant dog suit to hand out flyers in Chadstone Shopping Centre.

What are you passionate about?

I am very passionate about getting the message across to kids that they have the potential to do anything they set out to achieve, especially kids from lower socio-economic backgrounds. I know what it’s like to come from an area where the odds are stacked against you when you want to go down a creative path.

I knew from a young age that I wanted to do something creative with my life but I had no one in my life to support me or inform me on my quest. I was bullied in high school and it took me a long time to realise that it was up to me to ignore the naysayers and negativity and forge ahead with my dreams. I wish someone had come to my school or my area and told me back then that it was ok to be different and to believe in myself, despite what anyone else said or did.

Haven’t I seen you before?

Over the past twelve years I’ve worked professionally as a full-time writer and performer on some of Australia’s best-loved television comedy programs including Skithouse, Comedy Inc – The Late Shift, The Librarians, Mr & Mrs Murder and Offspring. I’ve also written, performed and directed numerous award-winning Melbourne Comedy Festival shows including Footy Chicks, Halo Dolly and Plus One.

">The Great Chiko Roll Mystery of 1983 Reel from Fiona Harris on Vimeo.