Maggie Lilleby

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lilleby, Maggie (1953 –) primarily writes stories and non-fiction for children and young teenagers. She has also published adult short fiction and articles in various newspapers and magazines.

Born in Skelton in the U.K. Lilleby immigrated to New Zealand in 1973. In 1977–78 Lilleby travelled in South America and also spent time in the UK on a working holiday. She returned to New Zealand in 1978, and now lives in Nelson.

Lilleby has been writing professionally since 1989. Before her writing career Lilleby worked as a secretary and a bank officer. Her other occupations have included horticultural worker, hotel worker and post office assistant.

Lilleby’s publications include Breaking Away (2002), a novel based on her own experiences as a racing cyclist. She had numerous stories published by Learning Media in the School Journal, Choices, Story Library Series, Orbit, Skyrider, and Power Zone series. Some of her work has also been translated into French. Lilleby's short story 'Rugrat' appeared in The Great Pavlova Cover-Up (2001), while 'Grandma Strikes Back' and 'Sea Legs' have been broadcast on Radio New Zealand. Her story 'Pocket Rocket' will be published in the anthology Dare and Double Dare in 2007.

Lilleby's short stories and poems have been shortlisted in competitions in New Zealand, the UK, and the USA. Her publications for adults include short fiction and articles on topics such as travel, fitness, and sport, which have appeared in magazines and newspapers in New Zealand and Australia.

Lilleby enjoys the variety of writing both fiction and non-fiction. She particularly enjoys interacting with and writing for children, and is continually inspired by their enthusiasm, humour, and creativity. She's always on the lookout for interesting and unusual activities and situations that she can use in her writing.

MEDIA LINKS AND CLIPS

• Maggie Lilleby is featured in the Spring 2001 issue of BRAT: Books for Readers and Teachers.