Kelly Gardiner is a writer, editor and educator.

Her most recent series is The Firewatcher Chronicles, time slip novels for readers 8-12 and over. The books in the series are Brimstone (2018), Phoenix (2020) and Vigil (2020) – all published by Scholastic.

Her previous book, 1917: Australia’s Great War, is set on the Western Front and in Melbourne during the First World War. It was shortlisted for the Young People’s History Prize in the NSW Premier’s History Awards, and for the Asher Award, and was a Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book.

Her book Goddess is a novel based on the remarkable life of the seventeenth century French swordswoman and opera singer, Julie d’Aubigny.

Her other books include The Sultan’s Eyes and Act of Faith, historical novels for young adults set during the time of the English Civil Wars and the Inquisition. Both books were shortlisted for the Ethel Turner Prize in the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards and Act of Faith was also shortlisted for the Gold Inky Award, and Highly Commended in the Barbara Jefferis Award. Both were Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Notable Books.

Her books for younger readers are the ‘Swashbuckler’ adventure trilogy – Ocean Without End, The Pirate’s Revenge and The Silver Swan – and a picture book, Billabong Bill’s Bushfire Christmas.

Her poems have been published in journals such as Southerly, Going Down Swinging, The Australian Women’s Book Review, Mattoid and Veranda. Her academic writing has been published locally and internationally in journals and collections.

Kelly has edited and managed newspapers, magazines, and websites, and her features, book reviews and travel writing have appeared in magazines and newspapers including The New York Times, Marie Claire, New Idea, and Australian Good Taste.

Kelly worked at the State Library of Victoria for ten years, and most recently taught Creative and Professional Writing at La Trobe University.

She is currently Deputy Chair of the Australian Society of Authors.

She has a PhD in English (Creative Writing) and Master of Arts in Australian literature.