Julie Watts (born 1950) is an Australian author and publisher. She won the

Dromkeen Medal The Dromkeen Medal is a literary prize awarded annually by the Courtney Oldmeadow Children's Literature Foundation for those who have advanced children's literature in Australia. The Medal was established by bookseller, Joyce Oldmeadow in 1982, ...

in 2001.

Early life

Watts was born in Guildford, Surrey, England. Her mother worked in a second-hand bookshop after Julie was born.

Career

Watts' first job was secretary to the editor of the

Royal Institute of Chemistry The Royal Institute of Chemistry was a British scientific organisation. Founded in 1877 as the Institute of Chemistry of Great Britain and Ireland (ICGBI), its role was to focus on qualifications and the professional status of chemists, and its aim ...

. She started at Penguin as secretary in the publishing department. She was later promoted to publisher for books for children and young adults. Since 2005 Watts has worked as a freelance consultant.

Books

* ''The Art of Graeme Base'' (co-authored with Graeme Base)

Recognition and awards

Watts received both the Pixie O'Harris Award for Distinguished and Dedicated Service to the Development and Reputation of Australian Children's Books and, in 2001, the

for her contribution to children's literature. In February 2018 Watts won the Dorothy Hewett Award for ''Legacy'', an unpublished manuscript of collected poems. Watts was awarded the

Medal of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gove ...

for "service to literature" in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours.

Other achievements

The Victorian Society of Editors made a presentation based on a transcript from three books and a film of Julie Watts.

Bruce Beresford Bruce Beresford (; born 16 August 1940) is an Australian film director who has made more than 30 feature films over a 50-year career, both locally and internationally in the United States. Beresford's notable films he has directed include '' B ...

directed the film version.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Watts, Julie 1950 births Living people Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia Australian children's writers Australian publishers (people)