Sarah Armstrong

Where were you born?

I was born in Sydney – but soon moved to country NSW where I grew up riding bikes, climbing trees and reading, a lot. My family didn’t have a TV which meant that books were my window to the world. Reading was an utterly immersive experience for me and I still recall the feeling of books opening up to me the possibilities of life.

What other jobs have you had?

My very first job was working at Kentucky Fried Chicken then – after university - I became a radio journalist at the ABC, on programs like AM, PM and The World Today. I was a TV researcher and field producer on the Foreign Correspondent program – and travelled to some really interesting places like Timbuktu in Africa. I currently work one day a week in a Byron Bay bookshop – in the kids’ books section.

What themes are recurring in your work?

I explore our connection to nature, found family, loyalty, friendship and courage. All my books are basically me making sense of the things that really matter to me.

What have been the highlights of your career?

Winning a Walkley Award for journalism, being shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award (for ‘Salt Rain’), and a CBCA Notable listing for my first kids’ book, ‘Big Magic’

Where have your works been published?

My books for adults have been published in Australia and NZ, USA, The Netherlands and Germany. My kids’ books in Aus/NZ and The Netherlands.

What are you passionate about?

Exciting kids about reading and writing, giving them useful tips to help their writing flow. And showing them that it’s possible to pursue a career in writing.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?

All my books are set in and around Mullumbimby, where I live. I call it Millimba in the Big Magic duology though, because I needed to move a mountain! I’m currently writing my third (stand-alone) middle-grade novel.