Kelly Gardiner’s latest novel is Vigil, the final in The Firewatcher Chronicles for children. Her previous novels include 1917: Australia’s Great War, and Goddess, based on the life of the seventeenth-century French swordswoman and opera singer, Julie d’Aubigny (recently optioned for screen adaptation). Her other books include the young adult novels The Sultan’s Eyes and Act of Faith, both shortlisted for the Ethel Turner Prize in the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards and Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Notable Books. Her short fiction, reviews, essays, poetry and travel writing have appeared in publications including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Southerly, and anthologies such as the YA collection Meet Me at the Intersection.
She is a senior lecturer in Creative Writing at La Trobe University.