Marion Halligan was born in Newcastle and grew up by the sea. She is rather surprised to find herself living in Canberra, instead of on the coast. She always believed she was going to be a writer, though took a while to get started. Halligan has now published some twenty books (including a children's book, The Midwife's Daughters) and has written short stories, articles, book reviews and essays for various publications. She believes fiction illuminates our lives, and for this reason she loves to read it as well as write it. Her most recent book is Goodbye Sweetheart.