I am a writer who lives in Auckland, New Zealand. When I’m not writing stories for children, I work as a librarian at a primary school, write reviews of books, and am part of the management committee of a children’s literature organisation.

I had a very happy childhood growing up in South Auckland. I was a real book-worm and day-dreamer. We had lovely holidays as a family, visiting different places in New Zealand. I wasn’t very sporty; I did a bit of ballet, two years of horse-riding and then a few more years of dancing. What I really loved to do (besides reading!) was being on stage acting or dancing; at primary school, my friends and I would make up plays to perform for our class.

I began writing when my children were young. Seeing the wonderful stories on the shelves at the kindergarten re-introduced me to the joy of stories for children, and I just knew that was what I wanted to do! I completed a writing course and began the long process of being a writer which involves lots of writing, and sending stories out to publishers, and learning, and more writing, and meeting and becoming friends with lots of other writers, and more writing, and joining the best critique group ever, and receiving lots of rejection letters. Oh, and more writing…

Newsy Bits –
The Sapling – Librarians of Aotearoa interview
The Howick Pakuranga Times – When Dad Came Home

Reviews –
“Like a hug in a book, Farewell, Anahera is simply beautiful” What Book Next?
“It’s a beautiful story for young and old.” Kids Books NZ
“Congratulations to Vanessa Hatley-Owen for having the courage to tackle such a tricky but important subject. “ Good Reads