About Me
Gwyneth at Stonehenge, England
Mother-Daughter team, in their "PJ Mouse onesies" for a book week author visit (2017)
Megan, (Illustrator) / Gwyneth, (author) |
GENERAL
I was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, however I have called many countries home. I grew up in such places as Peru, the United States, England, Canada and the Caribbean. I also have lived in Australia. I currently reside in the UK. EDUCATION
I hold an MBA from Simon Fraser University. EXPERIENCE / SKILLS
My work experiences have been quite varied. After leaving university and getting married, in the early years when my kids were young, I ran my own successful baking business which enabled me to work from home and be with my children. My husband and I have also fixed up and sold (flipped) houses for a living. In 2013 I became allergic - literally - to some building materials and started looking for something else to do. Like many people, I had thought about writing a book from time to time but didn't know where to start. After taking a creative writing course at college, I embarked on writing my first children's picture chapter book The Travel Adventures of PJ Mouse in Canada. I am blessed with four very talented and wonderful children. My second eldest daughter Megan, has illustrated all of the 'PJ Mouse' books. (Which is a good thing, as I can't even draw stick people very well!) My youngest daughter Emily, has illustrated two books in the "Animal pack" series and "The Caffeinated Squirrel", all of them picture books for young readers. AWARDS / RECOGNITION
My young adults novel, The World as We Know It was shortlisted for the 2018 CYA awards in Australia (Children's and Young Adult Writers and Illustrators conference) as well as receiving a "Highly Commended" notation. INTERESTS The thing I love best in the world is being a mom. After that..... I also love kids in general, and being a children's author is a wonderful experience, from the creative process of writing, to the fun of visiting students in schools. A lot of hard work goes into making a book, but the joy of meeting and interacting with kids, parents, grandparents and teachers, is truly very rewarding. There is nothing quite like when someone tells you that your book is their favourite book. Travel is also one of my favourite pastimes....seeing natural wonders, learning the history of places, meeting different people, and experiencing their cultures. Life is too short, there are so many things I would love to do and see. Fitness - I enjoy running, hiking, and keeping active. Business - I very much like the challenge of being entrepreneurial and finding a way to make things work. Favourite colour - Blue WHAT I LIKE TO READ
Growing up I enjoyed books such as: Make Way for Ducklings Winnie the Pooh The Wombles Noddy Wind in the Willows Ten Apples Up on Top Mister Men The Borrowers Pollyana Anne of Green Gables Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm Little House on the Priarie Nancy Drew Mysteries As an adult I have an addiction to historical fiction, but read a variety of genre. Some of my favourite authors are: Cynthia Harrod-Eagles Edward Rutherfurd Jane Austen J.K. Rowling Bill Bryson Adrian Plass Catherine Cookson |
Gwyneth's Photo Gallery
Moments from my life.
2019
Somerset College's 'Romancing the Stars' an evening of mingling with children's and young adult authors, illustrators, teachers, and librarians.
Somerset College's 'Romancing the Stars' an evening of mingling with children's and young adult authors, illustrators, teachers, and librarians.
2018 Traveling with PJ Mouse in Papua New Guinea
2018 CYA Conference Brisbane, Australia (Children's and Young Adult Writers and Illustrators)
2018 Storyfest, (Organized by Somerset College) Tugun, Australia