Melanie Drewery (1970–) Biography

Born 1970, in Palmerston North, New Zealand; Education: Nelson Polytechnic, certificate (craft and design), 1989; New Zealand Institute of Business, diploma (freelance journalism), 1998. Hobbies and other interests: Riding horses, reading books, listening to music, painting.

Addresses

Agent—c/o Author Mail, Reed Books, 39 Rawene Rd..Birkenhead, Auckland, New Zealand.

Career

Writer, illustrator, and artist. Worked variously as a children's librarian, potter, freelance journalist, and preschool teacher. New Zealand Book Council Books-in-Schools program, participant. Exhibitions: Has exhibited paintings and sculptures in Mapua, Nelson, Riversdale, and Christchurch, New Zealand.

Writings

FOR CHILDREN

Nanny Mihi and the Rainbow, illustrated by Tracy Duncan, Reed (Auckland, New Zealand), 2001.

Nanny Mihi's Garden, illustrated by Tracy Duncan, Reed (Auckland, New Zealand), 2002.

The Treasure, illustrated by Bruce Potter, Reed (Auckland, New Zealand), 2003.

Nanny Mihi's Birthday Surprise, illustrated by Tracy Duncan, Reed (Auckland, New Zealand), 2003.

Matariki, illustrated by Bruce Potter, Reed (Auckland, New Zealand), 2003.

Child of Aotearoa, illustrated by Bruce Potter, Reed (Auckland, New Zealand), 2004.

Koro's Medicine, illustrated by Sabrina Malcolm, Huia (Wellington, New Zealand), 2004.

Nanny Mihi's Teasure Hunt, illustrated by Tracy Duncan, Reed (Auckland, New Zealand), 2004.

Nanny Mihi's Christmas, Reed (Auckland, New Zealand), 2005.

Author's books have been translated into Maori.

ILLUSTRATOR

Joan Lees, The Camping Trip, Rainbow Reading Programme (Nelson, New Zealand), 1995.

Maria Beard, Just a Kid, Rainbow Reading Programme (Nelson, New Zealand), 1995.

Sidelights

Melanie Drewery told SATA: "I write for children because I love it. I sent my first story away when I was seven years old. It was rejected, but I didn't give up. Every year I sent some stories away, and I kept trying to learn how to write a better story. Finally, after a very long time and lots of perseverance, a publisher said 'Yes.' That was in 2000, and the book was called Nanny Mihi and the Rainbow. It was my reward for thirteen years of trying.

"My advice to anyone who wants to be a writer is, 'Keep trying, keep learning, read lots, and never give up.'"