Maria Arena

Maria Arena caught the writing bug at nineteen when she was given her first typewriter. After banging out some short stories and taking a few creative writing courses, Maria took a hiatus for children and further study, which led to her first novel, 'Mira Falling', published by Hachette in 2006. Having decided that writing and studying was a good combination for expanding the mind and imagination, Maria went on to complete a Doctorate of Creative Arts, from which came the novel 'Sisterhood'. A research trip to enchanting Edinburgh and glorious Paris formed the basis of a third novel,'Shroudeaters' (coming soon), while the challenges of climate change and water scarcity underpin Maria's current writing project. In between writing novels and short stories, Maria lectured in Creative Writing at the University of the Sunshine Coast, and currently presents the Creative Writing Excellence Program in regional Queensland high schools on behalf of USC. The program engages students in the creative writing process while encouraging them to consider higher education as a pathway to life success. Writing and teaching are important aspects of Maria's world but when she is not doing these, she also loves hanging out with her family and friends, reading, going to the theatre, films and, most importantly, coffee!