Meg McKinlay is the author of over twenty books ranging from picture books and young adult fiction through to poetry for adults. Raised in central Victoria, in a TV- and car-free household, Meg was a bookish kid, in love with words and excited by dictionaries. On the long and winding path to becoming a children’s writer, she has worked a variety of jobs including swim instructor, tour guide, translator and teacher. Meg is now a full-time writer whose books include How to Make a Bird illustrated by Matt Ottley; Always Never Always illustrated by Leila Rudge; and Ella and the Useless Day illustrated by Karen Blair. She lives near the ocean in Fremantle, Western Australia, where she is always busy dreaming up more books.