After training as a teacher, Deb travelled to Africa where she was harassed by monkeys, caught in a desert sandstorm and thrown in jail . twice! She's worked as a child wrangler and a rides operator at Luna Park, but her first real job was as writer/producer of a national children's TV show at Network TEN. She has since become an internationally published and awarded author of 28 books including her cranky climate change trilogy, Grimsdon, New City and Final Storm . Her family's survival in WW2 and migration to Australia inspired Teresa A New Australian . The Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee and The Most Marvellous Spelling Bee Mystery were inspired by her fantabulous Grade 4 teacher, Ms Gray . She's also written picture books- Wolfie, An Unlikely Hero and the 2021 CBCA Notable, Bear in Space . The Book of Wondrous Possibilities is her love letter to books, booksellers, librarians and readers. Deb's won awards for her work but mostly hopes to be as brave as her characters.

She's a proud ambassador for the charities, Room to Read and Books in Homes. www.deborahabela.com.