It’s not difficult to understand why the Illawarra region is home to a large and diverse, artistic community. The region offers the buzz of a big city, sea air, sand and coastal vibes and the ability to escape the busy and go bush to soak up the inspirational scenery.
All of that helps the creative juices flow, right?
And we’ve got some pretty talented authors doing their thang in the Illawarra, covering a broad range of genres and areas of interest, from children’s stories through to deeply moving memoirs.
What a talented bunch!
Here are just some of the Illawarra’s own writing elite…
Helena Fox
How It Feels to Float
How It Feels to Float is an award winning young adult novel that explores the themes of loss and love, with an aim to help young people living with mental illness.
Where you can buy it:
You can purchase it online or at local bookstores.
Sara Porter
When Sammy & Sally Visited Kiama
When Sammy Met Sally Down at Gerroa
Sara Porter is a Kiama resident and uses her two published picture books to showcase beautiful locations and local businesses in both Kiama, Gerroa and their surrounds!
Where you can buy it:
You can get it when visiting Cafe Kiama & Scoops Ice Creamery and other local bookstores.
Jody Cauduro
The Blue Thief
Watching Wondering
While Mandy Waited
Discovering Those Musical, Suit-Wearing Bugs From Times Past
Jody Cauduro was born in Wollongong and is a self published Australian children’s book author who focuses on fun and educational books.
Where you can buy it:
You can purchase it online or at local bookstores.
Chloe Higgins
The Girls
Wollongong resident Chloe Higgins’ award winning book The Girls is a heartfelt memoir of her and her family’s love, loss and grief.
Where you can buy it:
You can purchase it online or at local bookstores.
Amy Molloy
Wife, Interrupted
The World is a Nice Place
How to recycle your feelings
Amy Molloy is a talented author who specialises in healing through stories. She’s written a memoir about loss and grief, a self-help guide on bouncing back, and a children’s book that also eases a parent’s anxiety while reading it.
Where you can buy it:
You can purchase it online or at local bookstores.
Peter Rowland
A Naturalist’s Guide to the Butterflies of Australia
A Naturalist’s Guide to the Insects of Australia
A Naturalist’s Guide to the Frogs of Australia
…and more.
Peter Rowland is an award-winning wildlife author, nature photographer and columnist. He has over ten novels that guide and inform readers about many different animals and insects, resulting in him being thanked by Sir David Attenborough himself. Talk about a feather in your cap!!
Where you can buy it:
You can purchase it online or at local bookstores.
Karen Hendriks
Feathers
Go Away, Foxy Foxy
Home
Karen Hendriks is a Shellharbour author of three beautiful and powerful picture books, with the belief that you’re never too old to read them.
Where you can buy it:
You can purchase it online or at local bookstores.
Clayton Zane Comber
Shooting Stars
100 Remarkable Feats of Xander Maze
This South Coast writer has two novels full of colourful characters that will move and inspire you. Clayton has also opened up his own licensed bookstore in Kiama called Bouquiniste Bookstore Cafe Wine Bar.
Where you can buy it:
You can purchase it online or at local bookstores like Bouquiniste Kiama.
Jonica Newby
Beyond Climate Grief
Gerroa resident Jonica Newby is a science reporter, author, speaker, TV presenter and director, best known for her two decades on ABC TV’s popular weekly science program, Catalyst. Hey book Beyond Climate is raw and real, and took a personal turn as the bushfires on 2019-2020 hit too close to home for Jonica, her family and friends.
Where you can buy it:
Purchase online or at local bookstores.
Linda Goldspink-Lord
Crawling Through The Darkness
A stunningly emotional story of dealing with incredible loss.
Linda lost her daughter and her mother close together, all while she was
dealing with her own challenging health journey. A mother, a daughter, a
business woman and yet standing tall as her own person through life’s biggest
obstacles, Linda’s book is both raw and heartbreaking, as well as positive full
of light. A must read.
Where you can buy it:
Chris Allen
Chris has had a long career in defence, police, counter-terrorism and justice. He uses his knowledge of action and adventure to write books that are part James Bond, part Jason Bourne and all seat gripping thrill. We actually were lucky enough to sit down with Chris and learn all about his life in the Illawarra. Check out our interview here.
Where you can buy them:
You can purchase Chris’ books online or at local bookstore
Hayley Scrivenor
Hayley is a former Director of the Wollongong Writers Festival and has a PHD in creative writing from Wollongong uni. Her debut novel ‘Dirt Town’ is an award winning Australian bestseller and has also taken the US and UK by storm. This story is set around the disappearance of a schoolgirl in a remote Australian town and is a real page turner.
Where you can buy it:
You can purchase it online or at local bookstores
Julie Keys
Julie wanted to be an author her whole life but it was only when she experienced a near death moment did she decide to go for her dream. Her debut novel The Artist’s Portrait, unravels the mystery of a famous female artist in bohemian 1920’s Sydney, how intriguing!
Where you can buy it:
You can purchase it online or at local bookstores
