Books Made Me A Writer

It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to become an author of children’s books – a dream that took a slightly bumpier path than I anticipated – but which eventually came to fruition this year, with the publication of my first children’s book, Little Bones (UQP).

But what made me want to become a writer in the first place?

I was one of those kids who was lucky enough to grow up surrounded by books and reading. My mother read to me and my siblings from birth and always made sure books were available in our home. I grew up loving the Australian classics – including Blinky Bill, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, and Seven little Australians. I voraciously read everything I could get my hands on – becoming swept up for a while in the drama and glamour of Enid Blyton’s boarding school stories, before returning again to Australian literature, which felt closer to home and in which I could recognise the settings. Robin Klein, Colin Thiele, Paul Jennings, Ruth Park and John Marsden were all early influences in my later writing.

During my school years, books provided a source of such joy and comfort. I could lose myself in these adventures of everyday kids like myself. These books explored themes of empathy, inclusion, family and friendship, and helped me cope with feelings of change, uncertainty, and sometimes, loneliness.

As well as reading, I started writing my own stories as soon as I learnt to pick up a pencil – influenced by the books I was reading. I knew very early on that I wanted to create stories for kids like me, who loved reading and losing themselves in tales of adventure and friendship.

As a child, I thought I might become a published author quite quickly, maybe when I reached the ripe old age of eighteen.

But alas – it was not to be! My journey to publication took quite a bit longer than that.

And a part of that journey to publication is tied in with the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature (NCACL), led by the wonderful Dr Belle Alderman.

My connection with Belle commenced when, under Belle’s enthusiastic expertise, I studied the art of children’s literature at the University of Canberra. My passion for children’s books was reignited. I remembered again the magic of all the books I had loved growing up – the way they had provided such joy and comfort. Belle went on to supervise my Honours and PhD theses – both of which focussed on Australian children’s literature.

My journey to publication was full of writing highs and lows. Along the way there was a collection of short stories published by Canberra’s Ginninderra Press, some shortlisting’s and Varuna residencies – but that traditional publishing deal still remained elusive. Having three small children two years apart also diverted my creative energy for a few years.

I was thrilled when, in 2019, Belle invited me to annotate children’s books for the NCACL’s Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander database. It’s been such a joy to have this ongoing connection to an important centre which advocates so passionately for Australian children’s books. I loved doing the annotations so much I was then inspired to set up my own book reviewing platform on social media @aussie_kids_books.

With my three children having grown a little older I also felt like I had more energy and commitment to focus my creative energies on my own project. So – inspired by my renewed passion for Aussie kids’ books, and my engagement with the NCACL – I sat down over the summer of 2022/23 to focus on writing Little Bones, which had swirled around in my head in various formats over the past year or so. What a thrill it was to be offered representation by agent Danielle Binks, and to then finally be offered a publishing deal by UQP!

Looking back to the very beginning, it’s clear that my journey to becoming a writer had its origin in my love of books and reading. And what a joy it is to know that the Australian-based books I loved reading as a child, and the wonderful contemporary Aussie books I now love to read and review, all have a home at the NCACL, to be available for future generations of Australian children, educators, writers and artists to access and enjoy. And among these books, of course, will sit my very own children’s book, Little Bones.

What a dream come true!

 

Dr Sandy Bigna is a passionate supporter of Australian children’s literature, and regularly reviews children’s books on social media @aussie_kids_books. Little Bones (UQP) is her debut novel.

 

See also:
Sandy Bigna | UQP
Sandy Bigna Facebook
A study of death, dying and bereavement in Australian award-winning children’s literature 1990-1995 Thesis
(BA (Hons)) University of Canberra 1997 by Sandy Bigna
Mothers empowering daughters : narrative strategies that reverse Freudian narrative plots of the mother-daughter relationship in young adult fiction
Alphabet Soup: for kids who love books and creative writing authors, interviews. Dr Sandy Bigna was interviewed about Little Bones
Posted on April 2, 2025
Australian Verse Novels for Younger Readers Dr Sandy Bigna’s Little Bones is included in this NCACL resource.

 

Posted by: NCACL | Published: 04 Jul 2025