This is a list of women writers born in Australia or closely associated with it in their writings. As with other Wikipedia page lists, writers need a page before inclusion.

A

Mena Kasmiri Abdullah Mena Kasmiri Abdullah (born 1930) is an Australian writer and poet who has been widely published in ''The Bulletin'', ''Quadrant'', ''Coast to Coast'' and in numerous Australian anthologies. She is best known for her stories about Indian immigran ...

(born 1930), short story writer *

Joyce Ackroyd Joyce Irene Ackroyd, (23 November 1918 – 30 August 1991) was an Australian academic, translator, author and editor. She was a scholar of Japanese language and literature. Early life Ackroyd apparently acquired an interest Japan during her ...

(1918–1991), academic, translator and author *

Glenda Adams Glenda Emilie Adams (née Felton; 30 December 1939 – 11 July 2007) was an Australian novelist and short story writer, probably best known as the winner of the 1987 Miles Franklin Award for ''Dancing on Coral''. She was a teacher of creative w ...

(1939–2007), novelist and short story writer * Patsy Adam-Smith (1924–2001), historian *

Jane Alison Jane Alison (born 1961) is an Australian author. Early life and education Born in Canberra in 1961, Alison spent two years in Australia as a small child, growing up mainly in the United States as a child of diplomatic parents. She attended p ...

(born 1961), novelist and memoir writer *

Ethel Anderson Ethel Campbell Louise Anderson (née Mason; 16 March 1883 – 4 August 1958) was an early twentieth century Australian poet, essayist, novelist and painter. She considered herself to be mainly a poet, but is now best appreciated for her witty an ...

(1883–1958), poet, essayist, novelist and painter * Jessica Anderson (1916–2010), fiction writer * Diane Armstrong (born 1939), novelist, biographer and freelance journalist and travel writer * Millicent Armstrong (1888–1973), playwright and farmer *

Keri Arthur Keri Arthur (born 4 December 1967) is a writer of fantasy, horror fiction, and romance novels from Melbourne, Australia. She began writing at the age of twelve and has finished twenty-six novels as of July 2012. Her books have received many nom ...

, writer of fantasy, horror and romance novels *

Helen Asher Helen Asher (also known as Helen Ulrich, 1927 – 19 October 2001) was an Australian novelist and short story writer. Biography Born Waltraud Helene Rosalie Ulrich, Asher migrated to Australia from Germany as a post-World War II refugee. Asher ...

(1927 – c. 2004), novelist *

Melissa Ashley Melissa Ashley (born 1973) is an Australian novelist. In the 2017 Queensland Literary Awards, her novel ''The Birdman's Wife'' won the University of Queensland Fiction Book Award. It also received the Australian Booksellers Association Nielsen Bo ...

(born 1973), novelist *

Asphyxia Asphyxia or asphyxiation is a condition of deficient supply of oxygen to the body which arises from abnormal breathing. Asphyxia causes generalized hypoxia, which affects primarily the tissues and organs. There are many circumstances that can i ...

(living), puppeteer and children's author *

Thea Astley Thea Beatrice May Astley (25 August 1925 – 17 August 2004) was an Australian novelist and short story writer. She was a prolific writer who was published for over 40 years from 1958. At the time of her death, she had won more Miles Franklin ...

(1925–2004), novelist *

Tilly Aston Matilda Ann Aston (11 December 1873 – 1 November 1947), better known as Tilly Aston, was a blind Australian writer and teacher, who founded the Victorian Association of Braille Writers, and later went on to establish the Association for the ...

(1873–1947), blind poet and prose writer *

Louisa Atkinson Caroline Louisa Waring Calvert (; 25 February 1834 – 28 April 1872) was an early Australian writer, botanist and illustrator. While she was well known for her fiction during her lifetime, her long-term significance rests on her botanical work ...

(1834–1872), novelist, botanist and illustrator *

Karen Attard Karen Attard (born 1958) is an Australian writer of fantasy and short fiction. Biography Attard's first work to be published was in 1975 with a poem published by Meuse Press, entitled ''Like an Omen''. In 1995 she published a poetry collection ...

(born 1958), fantasy and short fiction writer *

Bunty Avieson Carolyn "Bunty" Avieson is an Australian journalist, feature writer, novelist and academic. Career Avieson has a PhD and a Master of Philosophy from Macquarie University, as well as an Associate Diploma of Journalism from RMIT University. I ...

(living), journalist and novelist

B

Van Badham Vanessa "Van" Badham (born 1974) is an Australian writer and activist. A playwright and novelist, she writes dramas and comedies. She is a regular columnist for the '' Guardian Australia'' website. Early life Badham was born in Sydney in 1974. ...

(born 1974), playwright and novelist *

Kate Baker Catherine Baker (1861–1953) was an Irish-born Australian teacher, best known for encouraging and championing her friend Joseph Furphy, who wrote the quintessential Australian novel of its period, ''Such Is Life (novel), Such Is Life''. De ...

(1861–1953), critic, editor and biographer * Margaret Balderson (born 1935), children's writer *

Gina Ballantyne Gina Ballantyne (18 June 1919 – 25 July 1973) was an Australian poet, who also wrote as Allinga. She was the first woman to edit an edition of the annual ''Jindyworobak Anthology''. Early life and education Born on 18 June 1919 in Adelaide ...

(1919–1973), poet *

Faith Bandler Faith Bandler (27 September 1918 13 February 2015; née Ida Lessing Faith Mussing) was an Australian civil rights activist of South Sea Islander and Scottish-Indian heritage. A campaigner for the rights of Indigenous Australians and South Sea ...

(1918–2015), writer and civil rights activist *

Marjorie Barnard Marjorie Faith Barnard (16 August 18978 May 1987) was an Australian novelist and short story writer, critic, historian—and librarian. She went to school and university in Sydney, and then trained as a librarian. She was employed as a librari ...

(1897–1987), novelist and historian collaborating with

Flora Eldershaw Flora Sydney Patricia Eldershaw (16 March 1897 – 20 September 1956) was an Australian novelist, critic and historian. With Marjorie Barnard she formed the writing collaboration known as M. Barnard Eldershaw. She was also a teacher and later a ...

M. Barnard Eldershaw M. Barnard Eldershaw was the pseudonym used by the twentieth-century Australian literary collaborators Marjorie Barnard (1897–1987) and Flora Eldershaw (1897–1956). In a collaboration that lasted two decades from the late 1920s to the ...

Charlotte Barton Charlotte Atkinson (1796–1867) was the author of Australia's earliest known children's book. The book titled ''A Mother's Offering to her Children: By a Lady, Long Resident in New South Wales.'' Sydney: Gazette Office was published in 1841. An ...

(1797–1867), children's writer and educationalist *

Emily Mary Barton Emily Mary Barton (1817–1909) was an English-born Australian poet. She wrote poetry for most of her life, and was still publishing when she was 90. She was the grandmother of Andrew Barton (Banjo) Paterson. Early life and education Emily Ma ...

(1817–1909), poet *

Marnie Bassett Flora Marjorie (''Marnie'') Bassett (30 June 1889 – 3 February 1980) was an Australian historian, biographer and travel writer. Her writing focussed on women's and family history, with particular attention to people from Australia. Earl ...

(1890–1980), historian and biographer * Daisy Bates (1859–1951), journalist and anthropologist *

Catherine Bateson Catherine Bateson (born 1960 in Sydney) is an Australian writer. Career Born in Sydney in 1960, Bateson grew up in a second-hand bookshop in Brisbane. She attained a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland, with a major in art h ...

(born 1960), novelist and poet *

Barbara Baynton Barbara Janet Baynton (née Lawrence; 4 June 1857 – 28 May 1929) was an Australian writer known primarily for her short stories about life in the bush. She published the collection '' Bush Studies'' (1902) and the novel ''Human Toll'' (1907), ...

(1857–1929), fiction writer * Jean Bedford (born 1946), fiction writer * Ruth Bedford (1882–1963), poet, playwright and children's writer *

Larissa Behrendt Larissa Yasmin Behrendt (born 1969) is an Australian legal academic, writer, filmmaker and Indigenous rights advocate. she is a professor of law and director of research and academic programs at the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education ...

(born 1969), legal academic and novelist * Diane Bell (born 1943), anthropologist * Hilary Bell (born 1966), playwright *

Mary Montgomerie Bennett Mary Montgomerie Bennett (1881–1961) was an Australian activist and teacher. She is notable as a historical advocate for the rights of Aboriginal Australians, particularly in Western Australia, at a time when this was not a common feature of A ...

(1881–1961), biographer and civil rights advocate * Patricia Bernard (born 1942), writer of speculative fiction *

Barbara Biggs Barbara Biggs (born 3 December 1956) is an Australian journalist, social commentator, author and child protection campaigner. Career Biggs became a journalist in 1989. She was a staff journalist for the Sunday Herald Sun in the 1990s and has ...

(born 1956), journalist, writer and campaigner *

Carmel Bird Carmel Bird (born 1940) is an Australian writer of novels, short stories and essays. She has written books on the art of writing, and has edited anthologies of essays and stories. In 2016, she was awarded the Patrick White Literary Award. Writing ...

(born 1940), fiction writer * Winifred Birkett (1887–1966), novelist and poet *

Dora Birtles Dora Birtles (; 1904–1992), was an Australian novelist, short-story writer, poet and travel writer. Life Dora Toll was born in 1903 in Wickham, New South Wales, a suburb of Newcastle, the sixth daughter of Albert Frederick Toll and Hannah ( ...

(1903–1992), fiction writer, poet and travel writer * Marie Bjelke-Petersen (1874–1969), novelist *

Georgia Blain Georgia Frances Elise Blain (12 December 19649 December 2016) was an Australians, Australian novelist, journalist and biographer. Biography Born in Sydney in 1964 to journalist and broadcaster Anne Deveson (d. 2016) and broadcaster Ellis Blain ...

(1964–2016), novelist, journalist and biographer * Capel Boake, pseudonym of Doris Boake Kerr (1889–1944), novelist *

Jenny Boult Jenny Boult (8 October 1951 – 1 November 2005), also known as MML Bliss, was an Australian poet, playwright, and editor. Early life and education Jennifer Boult was born in Warwickshire, England, in 1951, migrating to Western Australia with he ...

(born 1951), poet *

Tess Brady Tess Brady (born 1948) is a writer and interviewer/presenter. She was the inaugural artistic director for Clunes Booktown Festival. Biography Brady was born in Adelaide, South Australia. She studied at the University of Adelaide, Flinders Uni ...

(born 1948), fiction, non-fiction, radio drama and children's books * Mona Brand (1915–2007), poet, playwright and non-fiction writer *

Doris Brett Doris Brett (born 1950) is an Australian writer and clinical psychologist. She has written in a number of genres, including poetry, memoir and nonfiction. Early life and education Brett was born in Melbourne in 1950 to Polish Jewish parents ...

(born 1950), poet, novelist and non-fiction writer * Hilda Bridges (1881–1971), novelist and short story writer *

Annie Bright Annie Bright (14 July 1840 – 21 June 1913) was a British-born Australian journalist and spiritualist. Early life in England Annie Bright was born on 14 July 1840 at Mount Hooton, Nottingham in England. She was the daughter of bookkeeper an ...

(1840–1913), journalist, non-fiction writer and spiritualist * Hesba Brinsmead (1922–2003), novelist *

Anne Brooksbank Anne Mary Brooksbank (born 1943) is an Australian writer. She has written a number of novels as well as scripts for film and TV. She teaches screenwriting at The Australian Film Television and Radio School. Personal life She was born in Melbour ...

(born 1943), scriptwriter and playwright * Mary Anne Broome, Lady Broome (1831–1911), novelist, travel writer and children's writer *

Pam Brown Pamela Jane Barclay Brown (born 1948) is an Australian poet. Career Pam Brown was born in Seymour, Victoria. Most of her childhood was spent on military bases in Toowoomba and Brisbane. Since her early twenties, she has lived in Melbourne a ...

(born 1948), poet and prose writer *

Mary Grant Bruce Mary Grant Bruce (24 May 1878 – 2 July 1958), also known as Minnie Bruce, was an Australian children's author and journalist. While all her thirty-seven books enjoyed popular success in Australia and overseas, particularly in the United Kingdo ...

(1878–1958), children's author and journalist *

Alyssa Brugman Alyssa Brugman (born May 1974) is an Australian author of fiction for young adults. She was born in Rathmines, a suburb of Lake Macquarie, Australia and attended five public schools before completing a Marketing Degree at the University of New ...

(born 1974), author of fiction for young adults *

Anna Maria Bunn Anna Maria Bunn (1808–1889) was the anonymous author of ''The Guardian: a Tale (by an Australian)'' (1838), the first novel published on mainland Australia and the first in the continent by a woman. Bunn's authorship was only established after an ...

(1808–1899), novelist *

J. C. Burke J. C. Burke (born 1965 in Sydney) is an Australian author, currently living in Sydney. Jane Burke was born in 1965 in Sydney, where she was the fourth of five sisters; her parents were writers. Burke did not start publishing stories until 1999. He ...

(born 1965), novelist * Janine Burke (born 1952), art critic, historian and novelist *

Joanne Burns Joanne Burns (born 5 December 1945 ) is a contemporary Australian poet and prose writer, with a strong emphasis on performance in her work. Biography Joanne Burns grew up and lives in Sydney. She studied at the University of Sydney and has ...

(born 1945), poet and prose writer * Marie Beuzeville Byles (1900–1979), travel and non-fiction writer

C

Caroline Caddy Caroline Mavis Caddy (born 20 January 1944) is an Australian poet. Biography Born in Western Australia to an Australian mother and an American father, Caroline Mavis Caddy spent part of her childhood in the United States and Japan. She returne ...

(born 1944), poet * Kathleen Caffyn, also pseudonym Iota (1853–1926), novelist * Mena Calthorpe (1905–1996), novelist *

Ada Cambridge Ada Cambridge (21 November 1844 – 19 July 1926), later known as Ada Cross, was an English-born Australian writer. She wrote more than 25 works of fiction, three volumes of poetry and two autobiographical works.Cato (1989) p. v Many of her nov ...

(1844–1926), novelist, poet, children's writer and autobiographer *

Marion May Campbell Marion May Campbell (born 1948) is a contemporary Australian novelist and an academician. Biography Marion May Campbell was born in Sydney, New South Wales, 1948. Campbell earned a BA in French Literature studying first at the University of N ...

(born 1948), novelist, performance writer and memoirist * Patricia Carlon (1927–2002), crime novelist * Jennings Carmichael, pseudonym of Grace Elizabeth Jennings Carmichael (1868–1904), poet *

Maie Casey, Baroness Casey Ethel Marian Sumner "Maie" Casey, Baroness Casey, AC, FRSA (née Ryan; 13 March 1892 – 20 January 1983) was an Australian pioneer aviator, poet, librettist, biographer, memoirist and artist. Lord Casey was her husband. Robert Menzies famous ...

(1910–1983), poet, librettist, biographer and memoirist *

Deirdre Cash Deirdre Cash (1924 – 11 March 1963) was an Australian novelist and torch singer, who wrote under the pseudonym Criena Rohan. Her first novel, ''The Delinquents'', set in Brisbane, was described as a "back-street ''Tristan and Isolde''". Backg ...

, pseudonym Criena Rohan (1924–1963), novelist *

Lee Cataldi Lee Cataldi (born 1942) is a contemporary Australian poet and linguist. Biography Cataldi was born in Sydney during World War II when, owing to her Italian heritage, she was technically an 'enemy alien'. As a child she lived in Hobart, moving b ...

(born 1942), poet *

Nancy Cato Nancy Fotheringham Cato (11 March 19173 July 2000) was an Australian writer who published more than twenty historical novels, biographies and volumes of poetry. Cato is also known for her work campaigning on environmental and conservation issu ...

(1917–2000), historical novelist, poet and biographer *

Nan Chauncy Nan Chauncy (28 May 1900 – 1 May 1970) was a British-born Australian children's writer. Early life Chauncy was born Nancen Beryl Masterman in Northwood, Middlesex (now in London), and emigrated to Tasmania, Australia, with her family in 1912 ...

(1900–1970), children's writer * Connie Christie (1908–1989), children's writer/illustrator, photographer and commercial artist * Ellen Clacy, pseudonym Cycla (1830–1901), novelist and nonfiction writer * Monica Clare, (1924–1973), novelist *

Mavis Thorpe Clark Mavis Thorpe Clark AM (26 June 1909 – 8 July 1999) was an Australian novelist and writer for children who was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Victoria is a state in southeastern Australia. It is the second-smallest state with a ...

(1909–1999), nonfiction and children's writer *

Coralie Clarke Coralie Clarke, later Coralie Clarke Rees BA (23 October 1908 – 14 February 1972) was a Western Australian author. Biography Coralie Clarke Rees was born in Perth, eldest daughter of Guildford "Gil" Clarke (1883–1949) and his wife Sylvia ...

, later Coralie Clarke Rees (1908–1972), travel writer *

Maxine Beneba Clarke Maxine Beneba Clarke is an Australian writer of Afro-Caribbean descent, whose work includes fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Her collection of short stories ''Foreign Soil'' won the 2013 Victorian Premier's Unpublished Manuscript Award, the 2015 ...

(born 1979), poet and short story writer *

Inga Clendinnen Inga Clendinnen, (; 17 August 1934 – 8 September 2016) was an Australian author, historian, anthropologist, and academic. Her work focused on social history, and the history of cultural encounters. She was an authority on Aztec civilisation an ...

(1934–2016), author and historian *

Charmian Clift Charmian Clift (30 August 19238 July 1969) was an Australian writer and essayist. She was the second wife and literary collaborator of George Johnston. Biography Clift was born in Kiama, New South Wales in 1923. She married George Johnston ...

(1923–1969), novelist, nonfiction and autobiography writer *

Jennifer Compton Jennifer Compton (born 1949) is a New Zealand-born Australian poet and playwright. Biography She was born in Wellington, New Zealand in 1949 and attended Wellington East Girls' College. In the 1970s she emigrated to Sydney, Australia with her ...

(born 1949), poet * Dorothy Cottrell (1902–1957), novelist *

Anna Couani Anna Couani (born 6 April 1948) is a contemporary Australian poet and visual artist. Couani was born and grew up in Sydney, the eldest of four children of medical doctors John Couani and Stefania Siedlecky. Her families have Greek and Polish ...

(1948), novelist, poet and visual artist * Emily Coungeau (1860–1936), poet * Jessie Couvreur, pseudonym Tasma (1848–1897), novelist * Alice Guerin Crist (1876–1941), poet, novelist, short story writer and journalist *

Alison Croggon Alison Croggon (born 1962) is a contemporary Australian poet, playwright, fantasy novelist, and librettist. Life and career Born in the Transvaal, South Africa, Alison Croggon's family moved to England before settling in Australia, first in Bal ...

(born 1962), poet, playwright, fantasy novelist and librettist * M. T. C. Cronin (born 1963), poet *

Zora Cross Zora Bernice May Cross (18 May 1890 – 22 January 1964) was an Australian poet, best-selling novelist and journalist. Life Zora Bernice May Cross was born on 18 May 1890 at Eagle Farm, Brisbane, to Earnest William Cross and Mary Louisa Eliza A ...

(1890–1964), poet, novelist and journalist * Cecily Crozier (1911–2006), artist, poet and literary editor *

Jean Curlewis Jean Curlewis (7 February 1898 – 28 March 1930) was an Australian writer. The daughter of Ethel Turner and Herbert Curlewis, she battled tuberculosis for many years before dying at 32 years of age. Life Ethel Jean Sophia Curlewis was born a ...

(1898–1930), children's writer *

Dymphna Cusack Ellen Dymphna Cusack AM (21 September 1902 – 19 October 1981) was an Australian writer and playwright. Personal life Born in Wyalong, New South Wales, Cusack was educated at Saint Ursula's College, Armidale, New South Wales and graduated f ...

(1902–1981), novelist and playwright

D

Marguerite Dale Marguerite Ludovia Dale (; 22 October 1883 – 13 May 1963) was an Australian playwright and feminist. Early life and education The daughter of Charles Ludovia Hume and his wife Celia Annie Maltby, she was born Marguerite Ludovia Hume in ...

(1883–1963), playwright and feminist *

Blanche d'Alpuget Josephine Blanche d'Alpuget (born 3 January 1944) is an Australian writer and the second wife of Bob Hawke, the longest-serving Labor Prime Minister of Australia. Background and early career D'Alpuget is the only child of Josephine Curgenven a ...

(born 1944), biographer, novelist and activist *

Kathleen Dalziel Kathleen Dalziel (1881-1969) was an Australian writer who was born in Durban, Colony of Natal The Colony of Natal was a British colony in south-eastern Africa. It was proclaimed a British colony on 4 May 1843 after the British government ha ...

(1881–1969), poet * Debra Dank, nonfiction writer * Eleanor Dark/ Patricia O'Rane (1901–1985), novelist * Norma Davis (1905–1945), poet * Sarah Day (born 1958), English-born Australian poet *

Alma De Groen Alma De Groen is an Australian feminist playwright, born in New Zealand on 5 September 1941. Biography Alma Margaret Mathers, born in Manawatu, grew up in Mangakino, a small township founded to serve a hydro-electric power station in the North I ...

(born 1941), New Zealand-born playwright *

Michelle de Kretser Michelle de Kretser (born 1957) is an Australian novelist who was born in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon), and moved to Australia in 1972 when she was 14. Education and literary career De Kretser was educated at Methodist College, Colombo, and in Melbou ...

(born 1957), novelist *

Dulcie Deamer Mary Elizabeth Kathleen Dulcie Deamer (13 December 1890 – 16 August 1972) was a New Zealand-born Australian novelist, poet, journalist and actor. She was a founder and committee member of the Fellowship of Australian Writers. Life Deamer was bo ...

(1890–1972), novelist, poet, journalist and actor * Enid Derham (1882–1941), poet and academic * Jessica Dettmann (living), novelist *

Catherine Deveny Catherine Deveny (born 1968) is an Australian comedy writer and stand-up comedian who was a regular columnist for ''The Age'' newspaper from 2001 to 2010. As well as comedy venues, she has performed on Australian television and radio programs. ...

(born 1968), journalist, comedian, author *

Jean Devanny Jane (Jean) Devanny (7 January 1894 – 8 March 1962) was a New Zealand writer and communist. Born in Ferntown near Collingwood, New Zealand, Collingwood in the Nelson district of New Zealand to William and Jane Crook, she migrated to Australia i ...

(1894–1962), novelist and nonfiction writer * Rosemary Dobson (1920–2012), poet *

Nance Donkin Nance Clare Donkin (7 March 1915 – 18 April 2008) was an Australian children's writer and journalist. Early life and education Nance Clare Pender was born in Maitland on 7 March 1915, youngest daughter of Archibald Thomas and Clara Rose P ...

(1915–2008), children's writer and journalist *

Sara Douglass Sara Warneke (2 June 1957 – 27 September 2011), better known by her pen name Sara Douglass, was an Australian fantasy writer who lived in Hobart, Tasmania. She was a recipient of the Aurealis Award for best fantasy novel. Biography A ...

(1957–2011), fantasy writer *

Ceridwen Dovey Ceridwen Dovey (born 1980) is a South African and Australian social anthropologist and author. In 2009 she was named a 5 under 35 nominee by the National Book Foundation and in 2020 won The Bragg UNSW Press Prize for Science Writing. Early year ...

(born 1980), novelist *

Henrietta Drake-Brockman Henrietta Drake-Brockman (27 July 1901 – 8 March 1968) was an Australian journalist and novelist. Early life Henrietta Frances York Jull was born in Perth, Western Australia in 1901 to public service commissioner Martin Edward Jull (1862–19 ...

(1901–1968), journalist and novelist *

Ursula Dubosarsky Ursula Dubosarsky (born ''Ursula Coleman''; 1961 in Sydney) is an Australian writer of fiction and non-fiction for children and young adults, whose work is characterised by a child's vision and comic voice of both clarity and ambiguity. She ha ...

(born 1961), writer of fiction and non-fiction for children and young adults *

Eva Duldig Eva Ruth de Jong-Duldig (nee Duldig; born 11 February 1938) is an Austrian-born Australian and Dutch former tennis player, and current author. From the ages of two to four, she was detained by Australia in an isolated internment camp, as an enemy ...

(born 1938), Austrian-born Australian and Dutch tennis player, memoir author * Susan Duncan (born 1951), memoirist and novelist * Alice Duncan-Kemp (1901–1988), writer and Indigenous rights activist *

Mary Durack Dame Mary Durack (20 February 1913 – 16 December 1994) was an Australian author and historian. She wrote ''Kings in Grass Castles'' and ''Keep Him My Country''. Childhood Mary Durack, born in Adelaide, South Australia, to Michael Patrick ...

(1913–1994) novelist and historian * Vera Dwyer (1889–1967), novelist

E

Alice Eather Alice Pearl Daiguma Eather (1988/1989 – 4 June 2017) was an Aboriginal Australian slam poet, environmental campaigner and teacher from Maningrida. In 2013 Eather started Protect Arnhem Land, an anti-fracking campaign group against Paltar Petr ...

(1988/89–2017), slam poet, environmental campaigner and teacher *

Robyn Eckersley Robyn Eckersley (born 1958) is a Professor and Head of Political Science in the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia. Background Eckersley grew up in Perth and graduated in law from the University of Weste ...

(born 1958), political theorist * Arabella Edge (living), English-born short story writer and novelist * Harriet Edquist (living), architectural historian and curator * Elizabeth Eggleston (1934–1976), activist, author and lawyer *

Anne Elder Anne Elder (4 January 1918 – 23 October 1976) was an Australian ballet dancer and poet. Career Inspired by Anna Pavlova, she commenced ballet lessons with Laurel Martyn in the 1930s, and went on to have an impressive career dancing with Colo ...

(1918–1976), poet and ballet dancer *

(1897–1956), novelist, critic and historian *

, pseudonym of collaborators

and

* Rosamund Else-Mitchell, educator and publisher * Edith Mary England (1899–1979/1981), novelist and poet * Fotini Epanomitis (born 1969), novelist *

Rica Erickson Frederica Lucy "Rica" Erickson , née Sandilands, (10 August 1908 – 8 September 2009) was an Australian naturalist, botanical artist, historian, author and teacher. Without any formal scientific training, she wrote extensively on botany and b ...

(1908–2009), botanical and historical writer * Matilda Jane Evans, pseudonym Maud Jeanne Franc (1827–1886), novelist

F

* Diane Fahey (born 1945), poet and short story writer *

Suzanne Falkiner Suzanne Falkiner (born 1952) is an Australian writer. Biography Born in Sydney, Falkiner grew up in western New South Wales. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales and later completed postgraduate cour ...

(born 1952), novelist and non-fiction writer *

Beverley Farmer Beverley Anne Farmer (also known as B. Christou) (7 February 1941 – 16 April 2018) was an Australian novelist and short story writer. Personal life Beverley Farmer was born in Melbourne. She was educated at Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and ...

(1941–2018), novelist and short story writer * Tracy Farr (born 1962), novelist and short story writer * Beatrice Faust (1939–2019), women's activist and non-fiction writer * Minnie Agnes Filson, pseudonym Rickety Kate (1898–1971), poet * Mary Finnin (1906–1992), artist, art teacher and poet * Lala Fisher (1872–1929), poet and editor * Kathleen Fitzpatrick (1905–1990), historian, biographer and critic * Jane Ada Fletcher (1870–1956), nature writer and children's writer *

Pat Flower Patricia Mary Byson Flower (23 February 1914 – 2 September 1977) was an English Australian writer of plays, television plays and novels. Biography She was born in Ramsgate, Kent, England and moved to Australia with her family in 1928. She or ...

(1914–1977), writer of plays, TV plays and novels * Mandy Foot, children's picture book writer and illustrator * Bethia Foott (1907–1995), nonfiction writer *

Mary Hannay Foott Mary Hannay Foott (pen name, La Quenouille; 26 September 1846 – 12 October 1918), was a Scottish-born Australian poet and editor. She is well remembered for a bush-ballad poem," Where the Pelican Builds". Early life Mary Hannay Foott was born ...

(1846–1918), poet and editor * Mabel Forrest (1872–1935), novelist and poet * Elaine Forrestal (born 1941), children's writer *

Thelma Forshaw Thelma Honora Forshaw or Thelma Korting (1 August 1923 – 8 October 1995) was an Australian short story writer and journalist. In 1967 she published a largely autobiographical collection of short stories, ''An Affair of Clowns'', in 1967. As a ...

(1923–1995), fiction writer and reviewer *

Jessie Forsyth Jessie Forsyth (1847/49 – 1937) was a British-American temperance advocate. She joined the International Organisation of Good Templars (IOGT) in London in 1872, relocated to New England for decades, and celebrated her Jubilee while residing in ...

(1847/49 – 1937), newspaper editor; short stories, poems *

Mary Fortune Mary Helena Fortune (c. 1833 – 1911) was an Australian writer, under the pseudonyms "Waif Wander" and "W.W." She was one of the earliest female detective writers in the world, and probably the first to write from the viewpoint of the detective. ...

, pseudonym Waif Wanter (c. 1833–1911), detective story writer *

Lynn Foster Lynn Foster (1914-1985), was a playwright, radio producer and writer, a script editor and television writer. She was the first woman in Australia both to direct and write a major national radio show, this being the serial " Big Sister". In ...

(1914–1985), playwright and novelist *

Miles Franklin Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin (14 October 187919 September 1954), known as Miles Franklin, was an Australian writer and feminist who is best known for her novel ''My Brilliant Career'', published by Blackwoods of Edinburgh in 1901. While ...

, pseudonym Brent of Bin Bin (1879–1954), novelist and journalist * Mary Fullerton, pseudonyms include E and Alpenstock (1868–1946), poet and novelist

G

* Katherine Gallagher (born 1935), poet *

Helen Garner Helen Garner (née Ford, born 7 November 1942) is an Australian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter and journalist. Garner's first novel, ''Monkey Grip (novel), Monkey Grip'', published in 1977, immediately established her as an origina ...

(born 1942), fiction writer, screenwriter and journalist * Catherine Gaskin (1929–2009), romance novelist * Sulari Gentill, pseudonym S. D. Gentill (living), writer of historical crime and other fiction *

Doris Gentile Doris May Gentile (; 30 October 1894 – 16 May 1972) was an Australian novelist and short story writer, who travelled and wrote in Africa, Europe and Canada from 1925 until the Second World War. Early life She was born Doris May Dinham in the ...

(1894–1972), fiction writer * Katrina Germein (born 1974), children's author and early childhood educator *

May Gibbs Cecilia May Gibbs MBE (17 January 1877 – 27 November 1969) was an Australian children's author, illustrator, and cartoonist. She is best known for her gumnut babies (also known as "bush babies" or "bush fairies"), and the book '' Snugglepot ...

(1877–1969), children's author, illustrator and cartoonist *

Anna Goldsworthy Anna Goldsworthy (born 9 June 1974) is an Australian writer, teacher and classical pianist. Life Goldsworthy was born in Adelaide as the eldest daughter of the writer Peter Goldsworthy and Helen Goldsworthy. She began studying the piano at th ...

(born 1974), writer, teacher and classical pianist * Sophie Gonzales (born 1993), writer of young adult romantic comedies *

Charmaine Papertalk Green Charmaine Papertalk Green (born 1962) is an Indigenous Australian poet. As Charmaine Green she works as a visual and installation artist. Green is a Yamaji woman, born in 1962 at Eradu near Geraldton in Western Australia. Career Poetry ...

(born 1962), poet and artist *

Kate Grenville Catherine Elizabeth Grenville (born 1950) is an Australian author. She has published fifteen books, including fiction, non-fiction, biography, and books about the writing process. In 2001, she won the Orange Prize for '' The Idea of Perfection ...

(born 1950), fiction and non-fiction writer and biographer

H

* Lyndall Hadow (1903–1976), short story writer and journalist *

Rosalie Ham Rosalie Ham (born 1955) is one of Australia's bestselling authors, and also writes for stage and radio. Her novels are international bestsellers and have been translated into a number of languages. Her debut novel, '' The Dressmaker'', was adapte ...

(born 1955), novelist and stage writer * Susan Hampton (born 1949), poet *

Eunice Hanger Eunice Hanger (8 March 1911 – 16 October 1972) was an Australian playwright and educator. Early life and education Eunice Hanger was born at Mount Chalmers, Queensland, Mount Chalmers in Queensland on 8 March 1911 to parents Thomas Hanger ...

(1911–1972), playwright and educator *

Barbara Hanrahan Barbara Janice Hanrahan (1939–1991) was an Australian artist, printmaker and writer whose work featured relationships, women, women's issues and feminist ideology. Hanrahan was also known for her writings and short stories featuring coming ...

(1939–1991), novelist and artist *

Lesbia Harford Lesbia Harford (9 April 1891 – 5 July 1927) was an Australian poet, novelist and political activist. Biography Lesbia Venner Keogh was the first child of Edmund Joseph Keogh and Beatrice Eleanor Moore, great-great-granddaughter of an Earl of ...

(1891–1927), poet, novelist and activist *

Beverley Harper Beverley Harper (1941 – 9 August 2002) was an Australian author of novels set in Africa. Born in Bulli, New South Wales in 1941, Harper visited Africa in 1967. Although she meant to stay for only one year, she lived there until 1988, when she r ...

(1943–2002), author of novels set in Africa *

Jennifer Harrison Jennifer Harrison (born 1955) is a contemporary Australian poet. She is a recipient of the Christopher Brennan Award. Born in Liverpool, Sydney, Harrison studied medicine and then specialised in psychiatry. Since her first volume of poetry, ''Mi ...

(born 1955), poet * Elizabeth Harrower (1928–2020), novelist and short story writer *

Gwen Harwood Gwen Harwood (née Gwendoline Nessie Foster, 8 June 19205 December 1995) was an Australian poet and librettist. Harwood is regarded as one of Australia's finest poets, publishing over 420 works, including 386 poems and 13 librettos. She won nu ...

(1920–1995), poet and librettist *

Libby Hathorn Elizabeth Helen Hathorn (born 1943) is an Australian writer for children, and a poet who works with schools, institutions and communities. She has received many awards for her books, some of which have been translated into several languages. In ...

(born 1943), poet, librettist, children's author *

Susan Hawthorne Susan Hawthorne (born 30 November 1951) is an Australian writer, poet, political commentator and publisher. Together with Renate Klein, she is co-founder and director of Spinifex Press, a leading independent feminist publisher that celebrated i ...

(born 1951), fiction and non-fiction writer, poet and publisher *

Anita Heiss Anita Marianne Heiss (born 1968) is an Aboriginal Australian author, poet, cultural activist and social commentator. She is an advocate for Indigenous Australian literature and literacy, through her writing for adults and children and her mem ...

(born 1968), non-fiction and fiction writer, poet and commentator *

Dorothy Hewett Dorothy Coade Hewett (21 May 1923 – 25 August 2002) was an Australian playwright, poet and author, and a romantic feminist icon. In writing and in her life, Hewett was an experimenter. As her circumstances and beliefs changed, she progressed ...

(1923–2002), playwright and poet *

Ernestine Hill Ernestine Hill (21 January 1899 — 21 August 1972) was an Australian journalist, travel writer and novelist. Life Born Mary Ernestine Hemmings in Rockhampton, Queensland, she attended All Hallows' School in Brisbane, and then Stott & Hoa ...

(1900–1972), journalist, travel writer and novelist *

Helen Hodgman Helen Hodgman (27 April 1945 – 6 June 2022)"Vale Helen Hodgman"
by David Winter,

(born 1945), novelist and screenwriter * Ada Augusta Holman (1869–1949), journalist, novelist and nonfiction writer *

Janette Turner Hospital Janette Turner Hospital (née Turner) (born 1942) is an Australian-born novelist and short story writer who has lived most of her adult life in Canada or the United States, principally Boston (Massachusetts), Kingston (Ontario) and Columbia (South ...

(born 1942), fiction writer

I

* Anne Bower Ingram (1937–2010), children's author and publisher

J

Linda Jaivin Linda Jaivin (born 27 March 1955)Barbara James (1943–2003), historian *

Florence James Florence Gertrude James (2 September 1902 – 25 August 1993) was an Australian writer and literary agent, born in New Zealand. Life James was born in Gisborne, New Zealand, daughter of a refrigeration engineer with a successful consulting pr ...

(1902–1993), author and literary agent * Rebecca James (born 1970), young adults' fiction writer *

Wendy James Wendy James (born 21 January 1966) is an English singer-songwriter most notable for her work with the pop band Transvision Vamp. Transvision Vamp Born in London to Norwegian parents, James was adopted soon after birth. She left home at the ag ...

(born 1966), crime novelist * Winifred Lewellin James (1876–1941), novelist and travel writer *

Emma Jane Emma A. Jane (born 1969), previously known as Emma Tom, is an Australian professor, author, and journalist. She once wrote a weekly column for ''The Australian'' newspaper and made regular appearances on Australian television and radio. She rece ...

(born 1969), novelist and media commentator *

Charlotte Jay Geraldine Halls (17 December 1919 – 27 October 1996) was an Australian Mystery fiction, mystery writer and novelist who sometimes wrote under the pseudonym Charlotte Jay, Jay being Halls's maiden name. Halls' book ''Beat Not the Bones'' won the ...

, pseudonym of Geraldine Halls (1919–1996), mystery writer *

Barbara Jefferis Barbara Jefferis AM (25 March 1917 – 3 January 2004) was an Australian author. Early life, and character formation Barbara Jefferis was the daughter of (Arthur) Tarlton Jefferis (1884–1965) and Lucy Barbara Ingoldsby Jefferis, ''née'' Smyt ...

(1917–2004), radio dramatist and novelist *

Sheila Jeffreys Sheila Jeffreys (born 13 May 1948) is a former professor of political science at the University of Melbourne, born in England. A lesbian feminist scholar, she analyses the history and politics of human sexuality. Jeffreys' argument that the "se ...

(born 1948), feminist scholar and writer * Grace Jennings-Edquist (born 1988), journalist and non-fiction writer *

Kate Jennings Catherine Ruth Jennings (20 May 1948 – 1 May 2021) was an Australian poet, essayist, memoirist, and novelist. Biography Jennings grew up on a farm near Griffith, New South Wales. She attended the University of Sydney in the late 1960s, gradua ...

(1948–2021), poet, essayist, memoirist and novelist * Helen Jerome (1883–1958), poet, playwright and nonfiction writer * Alexandra Joel, fiction and nonfiction writer * Rebecca Johnson (born 1966), children's fiction and non-fiction writer * Susan Johnson (born 1956), fiction writer *

Dorothy Johnston Dorothy Johnston (born 1948) is an Australian author of both crime and literary fiction. She has published novels, short stories and essays. Born in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, Johnston trained as a teacher at the University of Melbourne and ...

(born 1948), writer of literary fiction and crime novelist *

Elizabeth Jolley Monica Elizabeth Jolley AO (4 June 1923 – 13 February 2007) was an English-born Australian writer who settled in Western Australia in the late 1950s and forged an illustrious literary career there. She was 53 when her first book was publishe ...

(1923–2007), novelist * Gail Jones (born 1955), novelist and academic *

Jill Jones Jill Jones (born July 11, 1962) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress, who performed as a backing vocalist for Teena Marie and Prince in the 1980s. Overview Jones was born in Lebanon, Ohio on July 11, 1962. Her mother, a fashion model, ...

(born 1951), poet * Laura Jones (born 1951), screenwriter * Margaret Jones (1923–2006), writer of political thrillers and non-fiction *

Toni Jordan Toni Jordan (born 1966 in Sydney, Australia) is a Melbourne-based novelist best known for her debut novel ''Addition'', an international bestseller long listed for the Miles Franklin Award. In 2017 her fourth book, ''Our Tiny Useless Hearts'' ...

(born 1966), novelist * Mireille Juchau (born 1969), novelist

K

Elizabeth Kata Elizabeth Colina Katayama (nee McDonald; 9 October 19124 September 1998) was an Australian writer known by the pseudonym Elizabeth Kata, best known for ''Be Ready with Bells and Drums'' (1961), made into the award-winning film ''A Patch of Blue'' ...

(1912–1998), novelist * Nancy Keesing (1923–1993), poet, novelist and non-fiction writer * Antigone Kefala (1935–2022), poet and fiction writer *

Gwen Kelly Gwen Kelly (28 July 1922 – 19 August 2012) was an award-winning Australian novelist, short story writer and poet, whose fourth novel, ''Always Afternoon'', was made into a television mini-series in 1988. She was considered by some to be one of ...

(1922–2012), fiction writer and poet * Nora Kelly (born late 19th century in New Zealand) journalist, poet and playwright *

Hannah Kent Hannah Kent (born 1985) is an Australian writer, known for two novels – ''Burial Rites'' (2013) and ''The Good People'' (2016). Her third novel, ''Devotion'', was published in 2021. Early life and education Kent was born in 1985 grew up in t ...

(born 1985), historical novelist *

Jacqueline Kent Jacqueline Frances Kent (born 1947) is an Australian journalist, biographer and non-fiction writer. She is also known as Jacquie Kent, the name she used when writing young adult fiction in the 1990s and sometimes writes as Frances Cook. Career ...

(born 1947), biographer, non-fiction writer and journalist * Doris Boake Kerr, pseudonym Capel Boake (1899–1945), novelist *

Robin Klein Robin McMaugh Klein (born 28 February 1936) is an Australian author of books for children. She was born in Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia, and now resides near Melbourne. Early life Robin Klein is one of nine children. She had her first s ...

(born 1936), children's writer * Marion Knowles (1865–1949), poet, novelist and journalist *

Sarah Krasnostein Sarah Krasnostein is an American-Australian non-fiction writer and legal academic. Education Krasnostein completed a BA/LLB (honours) degree from the University of Melbourne in 2005. She was admitted as an attorney of the State of New York i ...

, American-Australian non-fiction writer and legal academic

L

Gertrude Langer Gertrude Langer (née Froeschel) (1908–1984) was Austrian-born art critic in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. She was prominent in the Queensland Art Gallery and other arts organisations. Life in Austria Gertrude Froeschel was born in Vienna, ...

(1908–1984), art critic *

Eve Langley Eve Langley (1 September 1904 – c. 1 June 1974), born Ethel Jane Langley, was an Australian-New Zealand novelist and poet. Her novels belong to a tradition of Australian women's writing that explores the conflict between being an artist and be ...

(1908–1974), novelist and poet *

Coral Lansbury Coral Magnolia Lansbury (14 October 1929 – 3 April 1991) was an Australian-born feminist writer and academic. Working in the United States from 1969 until her death, she became Distinguished Professor of English and Dean of Graduate Studies at ...

(1929–1991), novelist and academic *

Justine Larbalestier Justine Larbalestier ( )' (born 23 September 1967) is an Australian writer of young adult fiction best known for her 2009 novel, '' Liar''. Personal life Larbalestier was born and raised in Sydney. She now alternates residence between Sydney ...

(born 1967), young adults' fiction writer *

Glenda Larke Glenda Larke, born Glenyce Larke, is an Australian writer. Biography Larke grew up in Western Australia. She obtained a degree in history and a diploma in education at University of Western Australia and has taught English in Australia, Vienna ...

(living), fantasy novelist and non-fiction writer *

Nel Law Nelle "Nel" Isabel Law (1914–1990) was an Australian artist, poet and diarist. As the wife of the scientist and explorer Phillip Law, she was the first Australian woman to set foot in Antarctica when she travelled with her husband to the Mawson ...

(1914–1990), artist, poet and diarist *

Louisa Lawson Louisa Lawson (née Albury) (17 February 1848 – 12 August 1920) was an Australian poet, writer, publisher, suffragist, and feminist. She was the mother of the poet and author Henry Lawson. Early life Louisa Albury was born on 17 February 1 ...

(1848–1920), poet, writer and feminist *

Sylvia Lawson Sylvia Lawson (12 November 1932 – 6 November 2017) was a journalist, academic and author, known for her support for cinema in Australia through her work with the Sydney Film Festival from its inception in 1954. She wrote ''The Archibald Paradox ...

(1932–2017), historian, journalist and critic * Simone Lazaroo (born 1961), novelist * Caroline Woolmer Leakey (1827–1881), poet and novelist *

Ida Lee Ida Louisa Lee, (11 February 1865 — 3 October 1943), historian and poet, was born at Kelso, New South Wales. She was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS) in 1914 and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Australian Historical So ...

(1865–1943), historian and poet * Valentine Leeper (1900–2001), classicist, polemicist and correspondent *

Julia Leigh Julia Leigh (born 1970) is an Australian novelist, film director and screenwriter. In 2011 her debut feature film '' Sleeping Beauty'' was selected to screen in official competition at the Cannes Film Festival. She is an author of two award-wi ...

(born 1970), novelist, screenwriter and film director * Constance Le Plastrier (1864–1938), writer, schoolteacher and botanist * Robin Levett (1925–2008), travel writer, novelist and philanthropist *

Tanya Levin Tanya Levin (b. 25 August, 1971) is a social worker and writer. A former Hillsong Church member, she has described herself as a feminist and an atheist since at least 2010. Levin has published two books. The first, ''People In Glass Houses'' ...

(born 1971), non-fiction writer and social worker *

Wendy Lewis Wendy Lewis is an Australian writer working in Sydney who has written a number of non-fiction books about Australian people, history and events. She has also written plays under the pen-name of Julia Lewis. Non-fiction In 2010, Lewis was commi ...

(born 1962), non-fiction writer and playwright *

Bella Li Bella Li (born 1983) is a Chinese-born Australian poet. Early life and career Li was born in China in 1983. When she was three she and parents migrated to Australia. Li has an Arts/Law degree from the University of Melbourne. In 2020 she rec ...

(born 1983), poet and editor *

Kate Lilley Kate Lilley (born 1960) is a contemporary Australian poet and academic. Early life Kate Lilley was born in Perth, Western Australia in 1960 and moved to Sydney with her family. She is the daughter of writers Dorothy Hewett and Merv Lilley, an ...

(born 1960), poet and academic *Lady Joan A'Beckett Lindsay (1896–1984), novelist *

Rose Lindsay Rose Lindsay (1885–1978), née Rosa Soady, was an Australian artist's model, author, and printmaker. Early life Rose Lindsay (née Soady) was born at Gosford, New South Wales on 5 July 1885 and named Rosa. Her parents were John and Rosa Soady. ...

(1885–1978), biographer, artist's model and printmaker * Marie Lion (1855–1922), novelist *

Carol Liston Carol Ann Liston is an Australian historian and academic researcher who specialises in the history of colonial New South Wales from 1788 to 1860. She is associate professor of history at Western Sydney University, in the School of Humanities and ...

(living), historian * Ellen Liston (1838–1885), fiction writer and poet *

Kate Llewellyn Kate Llewellyn (born 15 January 1936) is an Australian poet, author, diarist and travel writer. Biography Eldest of four children of Ron and Ivy Brinkworth (née Shemmald), Llewellyn was born Kathleen Jill Brinkworth in 1936 in Tumby Bay on Eyre ...

(born 1936), poet, diarist and travel writer *

Lilian Locke Lilian Sophia Locke (later Lilian Sophia Burns) (6 June 1869 – 1 July 1950) was an Australian trade unionist, political campaigner and suffragette. She has been described as one of the earliest women leaders of the labour movement in Australia. ...

(1869–1950), short story writer *

Sumner Locke Helena Sumner Locke (4 July 1881 – 18 October 1917) was an Australian novelist, dramatist/playwright, poet and short story writer. Her sister was the socialist Lilian Locke. Early life Born in 1881, she was the sixth daughter of Anglican cler ...

(1881–1917), fiction writer, dramatist and poet *

Amanda Lohrey Amanda Frances Lillian Lohrey (; born 13 April 1947) is an Australian writer and novelist. Career Lohrey completed her education at the University of Tasmania before taking up a scholarship at the University of Cambridge. From 1988 to 1994 ...

(born 1947), novelist and essayist * Joan London (born 1948), fiction writer and screenwriter * Abie Longstaff (living), children's writer *

Gabrielle Lord Gabrielle Craig Lord (born 1946) is an Australian writer who has been described as Australia's first lady of crime.Pressley, Alison (2007) "Lord and lady" in ''Good Reading Magazine'', April 2007, pp. 22–23 She has published a wide range ...

(born 1946), crime novelist and short story writer *

Melissa Lucashenko Melissa Lucashenko is an Indigenous Australian writer of adult literary fiction and literary non-fiction, who has also written novels for teenagers. In 2013 at The Walkley Awards, she won the "Feature Writing Long (over 4000 words) Award" for ...

(born 1967), fiction, non-fiction and young adults' writer * Laura Bogue Luffman (1846–1929), English-born writer and journalist * Catharine Lumby (living), journalist and academic *Dame

Enid Lyons Dame Enid Muriel Lyons (née Burnell; 9 July 1897 – 2 September 1981) was an Australian politician who was the first woman elected to the House of Representatives and the first woman to serve in federal cabinet. Prior to her own political ca ...

(1897–1981), biographer and politician *

Edith Joan Lyttleton Edith Joan Lyttleton (18 December 187310 March 1945) was an Australasian author, who wrote as G. B. Lancaster. Life and career Lyttleton was born on the family farm near Campbell Town, Tasmania, and brought up from 1879 in New Zealand on a ...

, pseudonym G. B. Lancaster (1873–1945), novelist

M

* Constance Jane McAdam, pseudonym Constance Clude (1872–1951), writer and suffragette *

Maxine McArthur Maxine McArthur is an Australian writer of science fiction. Biography McArthur spent 16 years living in Japan but returned to live in Canberra in 1996. In 1999 McArthur's first book was released in Australia, entitled ''Time Future''. It won th ...

(born 1962), science fiction writer *

Georgiana Huntly McCrae Georgiana Huntly McCrae (15 March 1804 – 24 May 1890) was an English-Australian painter and diarist. Early life Born in London, she was the illegitimate daughter of George Gordon, the Marquess of Huntly, son and heir to Alexander, 4th Duk ...

(1804–1890), painter and diarist *

Colleen McCullough Colleen Margaretta McCullough (; married name Robinson, previously Ion-Robinson; 1 June 193729 January 2015) was an Australian author known for her novels, her most well-known being ''The Thorn Birds'' and ''The Ladies of Missalonghi''. Life ...

(1937–2015), novelist * Nan McDonald (1921–1974), poet and editor * Ella May McFadyen (1887–1976), poet, journalist and children's writer *

Fiona McFarlane Fiona McFarlane (born 1978) is an Australian author, best known for her book ''The Night Guest'' and her collection of short stories ''The High Places''. She is a recipient of the Voss Literary Prize, the UTS Glenda Adams Award for New Writing a ...

(born 1978), novelist *

Fiona McGregor Fiona Kelly McGregor (born 1965) is an Australian writer, performance artist and art critic whose third novel, '' Indelible Ink'', won the 2011 The Age Book of the Year award. Early life and education McGregor was born in Sydney, New South W ...

(born 1965), writer and performance artist * Siobhán McHugh, Irish-Australian author, podcaster and documentary-maker *

Elisabeth MacIntyre Elisabeth MacIntyre (born Elisabeth Innes MacIntyre, also spelled Elizabeth MacIntyre; 1916–2004) was an Australian writer and illustrator. She mainly produced children's picture books and cartoon strips, but also created cartoon strips for a ...

(1916–2004), children's writer *

Louise Mack Marie Louise Hamilton Mack (10 October 1870 – 23 November 1935) was an Australian poet, journalist and novelist. She is most known for her writings and her involvement in World War I in 1914 as the first woman war correspondent in Belgium. Bi ...

(1870–1935), poet, journalist and novelist * Edith McKay (1891–1963), fiction writer *

Dorothea Mackellar Isobel Marion Dorothea Mackellar, (1 July 1885 – 14 January 1968) was an Australian poet and fiction writer. Her poem ''My Country'' is widely known in Australia, especially its second stanza, which begins: "''I love a sunburnt country/ ...

(1885–1968), poet and fiction writer * Tamara McKinley (born 1948), novelist *

Rhyll McMaster Rhyll McMaster (born 1947 in Brisbane) is a contemporary Australian poet and novelist. She has worked as a secretary, a nurse and a sheep farmer. She now lives in Sydney and has written full-time since 2000. She is a recipient of the Barbara Je ...

(born 1947), poet and novelist *

Barbara McNamara Barbara A. McNamara (born circa 1942) is an American linguist. She was the NSA's Deputy Director from October 1997 until June 2000. She was succeeded by William B. Black, Jr. Biography McNamara joined the NSA in 1963 as a linguist working with ...

, pseudonym Anne Willard (1913–2000), novelist *

Bertha McNamara Matilda Emilie Bertha McNamara (née Kalkstein, previously Bredt; 28 September 1853 – 1 August 1931) was an Australian political activist and writer. She was born in Prussia and arrived in Australia as a teenager. She became involved in th ...

(1853–1931), socialist and feminist pamphleteer and bookseller * Kit McNaughton (c.1887–1953), nurse and diarist *

Jennifer Maiden Jennifer Maiden (born 1949) is an Australian poet. She was born in Penrith, New South Wales, and has had 36 books published: 28 poetry collections, 6 novels and 2 nonfiction works. Her current publishers are Quemar Press in Australia and Blooda ...

(born 1949), poet *

Barbara York Main Barbara Anne York Main (27 January 1929 – 14 May 2019) Ann Jones (2019"Barbara York Main, Australia's spider woman and Wheatbelt advocate, author and poet dies"''Off Track'', Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Published May 23, 2019. Acces ...

(born 1929), arachnologist *

Alana Mann Professor Alana Mann is a food activist and interdisciplinary scholar researching the power relations between media, governments, institutions and citizens, in the field of food politics. She is co-founder of FoodLab Sydney, a business incubator ...

(fl. 2000s), non-fiction writer on food politics *

Emily Manning Emily Matilda Manning, pen-name ''Australie'' (13 May 1845 – 25 August 1890) was an Australian journalist and writer. Career Manning was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, the daughter of William Montagu Manning. Manning marrie ...

, pseudonym Australie (1845–1890), poet and journalist * Chris Mansell (born 1953), poet and publisher *

Melina Marchetta Carmelina Marchetta (born 25 March 1965) is an Australian writer and teacher. Marchetta is best known as the author of teen novels, '' Looking for Alibrandi'', ''Saving Francesca'' and '' On the Jellicoe Road''. She has twice been awarded the C ...

(born 1965), novelist * Mary Marlowe (1884–1962), actress, writer and journalist *

Catherine Edith Macauley Martin Catherine Edith Macauley Martin (1848 – 15 March 1937) was an Australian novelist who used the pseudonyms M.C. and Mrs Alick MacLeod, also published anonymously. Biography Martin was born in Ben Mohr Estate, Snizort, Isle of Skye, Inverne ...

(1847–1937), novelist and journalist *

Olga Masters Olga Masters née Lawler (28 May 1919 – 27 September 1986) was an Australian writer, journalist, novelist and short story writer. Masters' children went on to be notable figures in journalism, media and film making. Early life Olga Masters ...

(1919–1986), fiction writer and journalist *

Christobel Mattingley Christobel Rosemary Mattingley (1931 – 1 June 2019) was an award-winning Australian author of books for children and adults. Her book ''Rummage'' won the Children's Book of the Year Award: Younger Readers and Children's Book of the Year Aw ...

(1931–2019), children's writer *

Jan Mayman Janice Mayman (1940/1 – 5 August 2021) was an Australian journalist, known for her extensive work as a freelancer between 1980 and 2010.Lemon, Barbara; Henningham, Nikki (6 November 2007Woman: Mayman, Jan ''The Australian Women's Register''. Re ...

(died 2021), journalist *

Gillian Mears Gillian Mears (21 July 1964 – 16 May 2016) was an Australian short story writer and novelist. Her books ''Ride a Cock Horse'' and ''The Grass Sister'' won a Commonwealth Writers' Prize, shortlist, in 1989 and 1996, respectively. ''The Mint La ...

(1964–2016), fiction writer * Wolla Meranda, (1863–1951), novelist *

Gwen Meredith Gwenyth Valmai Meredith OBE (18 November 1907 – 3 October 2006), also known by her married name Gwen Harrison, was an Australian writer, dramatist and playwright, and radio writer. She is best known for her radio serials ''The Lawsons'' (194 ...

(1907–2006), playwright, scriptwriter and novelist * Louisa Meredith (1812–1895), fiction and non-fiction writer, poet and artist *

Elyne Mitchell Elyne Mitchell, Order of Australia, OAM (née Chauvel, 30 December 1913 – 4 March 2002) was an Australian author noted for the ''Silver Brumby'' series of children's novels. Her nonfiction works draw on family history and culture. Biography S ...

(1913–2002), children's writer *

Drusilla Modjeska Drusilla Modjeska (born 1946) is a contemporary Australian writer and editor. Life Modjeska was born in London and was raised in Hampshire. She spent several years in Papua New Guinea (where she was briefly a student at the University of Pa ...

(born 1946), writer and editor *

Dora Montefiore Dorothy Frances Montefiore (; 20 December 1851 – 21 December 1933), known as Dora Montefiore, was an English-Australian women's suffragist, socialist, poet, and autobiographer. Early life Born Dorothy Frances Fuller at Kenley Manor near Cou ...

(1851–1933), poet, autobiographer, suffragist and socialist * Finola Moorhead (born 1947), fiction and non-fiction writer, playwright, essayist and poet *

Elinor Mordaunt Evelyn May Clowes, known by the pseudonym Elinor Mordaunt (7 May 1872 – 25 June 1942), was an English author, writer and traveller born in Nottinghamshire, England. Her travels included Mauritius and Australia; she undertook a wide variety of ...

(1872–1942), writer and traveller * Musette Morell (1898–1950), playwright, children's writer and poet * Sally Morgan (born 1951), Aboriginal writer and artist *

Liane Moriarty Liane Moriarty (born 15 November 1966) is an Australian author. She has written nine novels, including the ''New York Times'' best sellers '' Big Little Lies'' and ''Nine Perfect Strangers'', which were adapted into television series for HBO and ...

(born 1966), novelist * Meaghan Morris (born 1950), cultural studies scholar * Myra Morris (1893–1966), poet, novelist and children's writer * Di Morrissey (born 1943), novelist * Sally Morrison (born 1946), biographer and fiction writer * Mary Braidwood Mowle (1827–1857), diarist *

Nina Murdoch Madoline "Nina" Murdoch (19 October 1890 – 16 April 1976), also known by her married name Madoline Brown and pen name Manin, was an Australian writer and journalist, best known for her biographies and poetry, and travel writings, as well as ...

(1890–1976), biographer, travel writer, journalist and poet *

Joanna Murray-Smith Joanna Murray-Smith (born 17 April 1962) is a Melbourne-based Australian playwright, screenwriter, novelist, librettist and newspaper columnist. Life and career Murray-Smith was born in Mount Eliza, Victoria; her father was the literary editor ...

(born 1962), playwright, screenwriter, novelist and librettist

N

Joice NanKivell Loch Joice NanKivell Loch Member of the Order of the British Empire, MBE (24 January 18878 October 1982) was an Australian author, journalist and humanitarian worker who worked with refugees in Poland, Greece and Romania after World War I and World W ...

(1887–1982), prose writer * Jill Neville (1932–1997), novelist, playwright and poet *

Brenda Niall Dr Brenda Mary Niall (born 25 November 1930) is an Australian biographer, literary critic and journalist. She is particularly noted for her work on Australia's well-known Boyd family of artists and writers. Educated at Genazzano FCJ College, ...

(born 1930), biographer, literary critic and journalist *

Joyce Nicholson Joyce Nicholson (née Thorpe) (1 June 1919 – 30 January 2011) was an Australian author and business woman. The daughter of publisher D.W. Thorpe, Nicholson was born in Melbourne and educated at Methodist Ladies' College and the University o ...

(1919–2001), author and businesswoman * Deborah Niland (born 1950), writer and illustrator of children's books *

Cynthia Reed Nolan Violet Cynthia Reed Nolan (1908–1976) was an Australian writer and gallerist who promoted modern art and design in Australia during the early to mid 1930s. She was a key member of the Heide Circle around Sunday and John Reed. Later she was ba ...

(1908–1976), novelist and travel writer *

Oodgeroo Noonuccal Oodgeroo Noonuccal ( ; born Kathleen Jean Mary Ruska, later Kath Walker (3 November 192016 September 1993) was an Aboriginal Australian political activist, artist and educator, who campaigned for Aboriginal rights. Noonuccal was best known for ...

(1920–1993), Aboriginal political activist, artist and educator *

Marlene Norst Marlene Johanna Norst (24 March 193020 December 2010) was an Australian linguist, pedagogue and philanthropist of Austrian heritage. Her main areas of work were German language and literature studies, language pedagogy, English as a second la ...

(1930–2010), Austrian-born linguist, pedagogue and philanthropist *

Joanne Nova Joanne Nova is an Australian writer, blogger, and speaker. Born Joanne Codling, she adopted the stage name "Nova" in 1998 when she was preparing to host a children's television program. She is prominent for promoting climate change denial. E ...

, science writer, blogger and speaker

O

* Kathleen O'Brien (1914–1991), comic book artist, book illustrator and fashion artist * Mary-Louise O'Callaghan (living), journalist and non-fiction author *Mary-Anne O'Connor (living), novelist *Mietta O'Donnell (1950–2001), food writer, restaurateur and chef *Pixie O'Harris (1903–1991), children's author and illustrator *Audrey Oldfield (1925–2010), historian and children's writer *Narelle Oliver (1960–2016), artist, printmaker and children's author/illustrator *Kate Orman (born 1968), science fiction writer *Beatrice Osborn, pseudonym Margaret Fane (1887–1962), novelist and poet *Caroline Overington (born 1970), journalist and author *Jan Owen (poet), Jan Owen (born 1940), poet

P

*Margaret Paice (1920–2016), children's writer and illustrator *Helen Palmer (publisher), Helen Palmer (1917–1979), publisher, educationalist and historian *Nettie Palmer (1885–1964), poet, essayist and literary critic *Laura Palmer-Archer (1864–1929), short story writer under the pseudonym Bushwoman *Susan Parisi (born 1958), Canadian-born writer of horror fiction *Ruth Park (1917–2010), novelist and children's writer *Catherine Langloh Parker (c.1855–1940), fiction writer and Aboriginal folklorist *Menie Parkes (1839–1915), poet and short story writer *Anne Spencer Parry (1931–1985), fantasy writer *Jacqueline Pascarl (born 1963), memoirist and parents' rights advocate *Ethel Pedley (1859–1898), author and musician *Olive Pell (1903–2002), librarian and poet *Grace Perry (1927–1987), poet, publisher and editor *Hoa Pham (living), fiction and children's writer *Nancy Phelan (1913–2008), novelist and travel writer *Joan Phipson (1912–2003), children's writer *Phyllis Piddington (1910–2001), novelist, poet and short story writer *Doris Pilkington Garimara (1937–2014), autobiographical novelist *Marie E. J. Pitt (1869–1948), poet *Marjorie Pizer (1920–2016), poet *Gillian Polack (born 1961), writer and editor of speculative fiction *Leonora Polkinghorne (1873–1953), women's activist and writer *Dorothy Featherstone Porter (1954–2008), poet *Marie Porter (born 1939), researcher, writer and welfare advocate *Sue-Ann Post (born 1964), comedian and writer *Eve Pownall (1901–1982), children's writer and historian *Rosa Praed, also as Mrs Campbell Praed (1851–1935), novelist *Evadne Price (1888–1985) writer and media personality *Katharine Susannah Prichard (1883–1969), novelist and playwright *Alice Pung (born 1981), novelist and memoir writer, editor and lawyer *Lillian Pyke (1881–1927), children's writer and, as Erica Maxwell, novelist

Q

*Betty Quin (died 1993), theatre manager, playwright and screenwriter *Tarella Quin (1877–1934), children's writer

R

*Thérèse Radic (born 1935), playwright and musicologist *Stephanie Radok (born 1954), artist and writer *Jennifer Rankin (1941–1979), poet and playwright *Kerry Reed-Gilbert (1956–2019), poet and author *Elizabeth Julia Reid (1915–1974), Catholic journalist and author *Henry Handel Richardson, Ethel Richardson, pseudonym Henry Handel Richardson (1870–1946), novelist *Elizabeth Riddell, also Betty Riddell (1910–1998), poet and journalist *Sally Rippin, children's writer and illustrator *Judith Rodriguez (1936–2018), poet *Jill Roe (1940–2017), historian, academic and author *Betty Roland (1903–1996), playwright, novelist and children's writer *Heather Rose (born 1964), novelist *Agnes Rose-Soley, pseudonym Rose de Boheme (1847–1938), journalist and poet *Alice Grant Rosman (1887–1961), novelist *Jennifer Rowe, pseudonym Emily Rodda (born 1948), novelist *Gig Ryan (born 1956), poet

S

*Eva Sallis, pseudonym Eva Hornung (born 1964), novelist *Dorothy Lucy Sanders, also Lucy Walker (writer), Lucy Walker (1907–1987), novelist *Dipti Saravanamuttu (born 1960), Sri Lankan-Australian poet and academic *Julianne Schultz (born 1956), non-fiction writer *Margaret Scott (Australian author), Margaret Scott (1934–2005), poet, critic and academic *Rosie Scott (1948–2017), novelist *Jocelynne Scutt (born 1947), non-fiction writer and lawyer plus crime fiction and short stories under noms-de-plume *Catherine Shepherd (writer), Catherine Shepherd (1901–1976), playwright *Helen de Guerry Simpson, Helen Simpson (1897–1940), novelist, playwright and historian *Nardi Simpson (born 1975), novelist and musician *Sanu Sharma, Nepalese-Australian novelist, story writer, poet and lyricist *Tracy Sorensen, novelist and academic *Catherine Helen Spence (1825–1910), novelist, journalist and social reformer *Eleanor Spence (1928–2008), children's author *Dale Spender (1943–2023), feminist scholar, writer and consultant *Lady Jean Maud Spender, also as J. M. Spender (1901–1970), crime novelist *Nicolette Stasko (born 1950), poet, novelist and non-fiction writer *Christina Stead (1902–1983), novelist *Amanda Stewart (born 1959), poet and sound/performance artist *Ethel Nhill Victoria Stonehouse (1883–1964), novelist and poet *Agnes L. Storrie (1865–1936), poet and writer *Jennifer Strauss (born 1933), poet and academic *Anne Summers (born 1945), writer and columnist *Bobbi Sykes (1943–2010), poet and author

T

*Lian Tanner (born 1951), children's author *Cory Taylor (1955–2016), children's author and memoirist *Kay Glasson Taylor, pseudonym Daniel Hamline (1893–1998), children's author *Kylie Tennant (1912–1988), novelist, playwright, historian and children's author *Angela Thirkell, also Leslie Parker (1890–1961), novelist *Margaret Thomas (1843–1929), travel writer, poet and artist *Holly Throsby (born 1978), novelist *Glen Tomasetti (1929–2003), singer-songwriter, novelist and poet *Jessica Townsend (born 1985), children's fantasy author *Pamela Lyndon Travers (1899–1996), children's author *Margaret Trist (1914–1986), short story writer and novelist *Ethel Turner (1872–1958), children's author and novelist *Lilian Turner (1867–1956), children's novelist

U

*Terry Underwood (born 1944), author *Jessie Urquhart (1890–1948), novelist and journalist

V

*Elise Valmorbida, fiction and non-fiction writer *Lin Van Hek (born 1944), fiction writer *Joanne van Os, writer of memoirs and children's and adult fiction *Elizabeth Vassilieff (1917–2007), non-fiction writer and critic *Barbara Vernon (writer), Barbara Vernon (1916–1978), playwright, scriptwriter and radio announcer *Julienne van Loon (born 1970), novelist and non-fiction writer *Mary Therese Vidal (1815–1873), novelist *Vicki Viidikas (1948–1998), poet and prose writer *Michelle Vogel (born 1972), film historian, author and editor

W

*Vikki Wakefield (born 1970), young adult fiction writer *Kath Walker (1920–1993), Aboriginal poet, short story writer and artist *Lucy Walker (writer), Lucy Walker, pseudonym of Dorothy Lucie Sanders (1907–1987), romance novelist *Dorothy Wall (1894–1942), children's author and illustrator *Ania Walwicz (1951–2020), poet, prose writer and visual artist *Nadia Wheatley (born 1949), children's novelist and freelance writer *Ellen Whinnett (born 1971), journalist *Margaret Whitlam (1919–2012), social campaigner and autobiographical writer *Anna Wickham, pseudonym of Edith Hepburn, (1883–1949), poet and playwright *Rosemary Wighton (1925–1994), literary editor, author and adviser on women's affairs *Dora Wilcox (1873–1953), poet and playwright *Kim Wilkins (born 1966), popular fiction writer *Marian Wilkinson (born 1954), journalist and author *Donna Williams (1963–2017), writer, singer-songwriter, screenwriter and sculptor *Justina Williams (1916–2008), journalist and poet *Ruth Williams (writer) (1897–1962), children's writer *Margaret Wilson (Australian writer), Margaret Wilson, television writer *Tara June Winch (born 1983), novelist and short story writer *Dallas Winmar (living), playwright *Eliza Winstanley / Elizabeth Winstanley / Ariele (1818–1882), writer and stage actress *Eleanor Witcombe (1923–2018), screenwriter *Amy Witting, pseudonym of Joan Austral Fraser (1918–2001), novelist and poet *Sabina Wolanski (1927–2011), Holocaust survivor and autobiographer *Fiona Wood (writer), Fiona Wood (born 1958), young adults' novelist and television scriptwriter *Susan Wood (New Zealand writer), Susan Nugent Wood, (1836–1880), Australian-born New Zealand poet and essayist *Elizabeth Wood-Ellem (1930–2012), Tongan-born historian *Jena Woodhouse (born 1949), novelist and poet *Angela Woollacott (born 1955), historian *Alexis Wright (born 1950), fiction and non-fiction writer *Judith Wright (1915–2000), poet and environmental activist *June Wright (1919–2012), crime and non-fiction writer *Patricia Wrightson (1921–2010), children's writer *Ida Alexa Ross Wylie (1885–1959), novelist

Z

*Rose Zwi (born 1928), Mexican-born South African-Australian fiction writer *Fay Zwicky (1933–2017), poet, short story writer, critic and academic

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Australian women writers Australian women writers, Lists of women writers by nationality, Australian women writers, List of Lists of Australian women, Writers Lists of Australian writers, Women writers, List of Australian Australian literature-related lists, Writers, women