About me

About me

About me

Get all the details. Well, most of the details. Actually let's be honest it's a light sprinkling of the details. If that's not enough for you (thanks, I think?) then please email me all your burning questions!

Background

Background

Background


I was born in New Zealand and have lived here all my life. I'm located in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, and notably the windiest city in the world! That's a true fact, and I don't own an umbrella because of it.

I grew up in a household of readers and have eternally loved books, thanks in no small part to my mum, Colleen, who is an incredible school librarian (AKA real life superhero).

As I grew older and – allegedly – wiser, I studied film and creative writing for four years and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and an Advanced Diploma in Creative Writing.

I then worked as a children's bookseller at a local indie bookshop for two years, before moving on to work in performance marketing (specialising in SEO) for a tech company here in New Zealand.

Somewhere in the middle of all that, I started writing novels, and, despite all of the many warnings, refused to stop. There really is just nothing like it. Middle-grade is my first love, but I enjoy writing in the YA space as well, always with a touch of magic!

During whatever hours are left in the day, I like to play volleyball, rock climb, and most of all, hang out with my wonderful wife, Anita, and our living cloud (samoyed puppy) Appa!


I was born in New Zealand and have lived here all my life. I'm located in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, and notably the windiest city in the world! That's a true fact, and I don't own an umbrella because of it.

I grew up in a household of readers and have eternally loved books, thanks in no small part to my mum, Colleen, who is an incredible school librarian (AKA real life superhero).

As I grew older and – allegedly – wiser, I studied film and creative writing for four years and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and an Advanced Diploma in Creative Writing.

I then worked as a children's bookseller at a local indie bookshop for two years, before moving on to work in performance marketing (specialising in SEO) for a tech company here in New Zealand.

Somewhere in the middle of all that, I started writing novels, and, despite all of the many warnings, refused to stop. There really is just nothing like it. Middle-grade is my first love, but I enjoy writing in the YA space as well, always with a touch of magic!

During whatever hours are left in the day, I like to play volleyball, rock climb, and most of all, hang out with my wonderful wife, Anita, and our living cloud (samoyed puppy) Appa!


I was born in New Zealand and have lived here all my life. I'm located in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, and notably the windiest city in the world! That's a true fact, and I don't own an umbrella because of it.

I grew up in a household of readers and have eternally loved books, thanks in no small part to my mum, Colleen, who is an incredible school librarian (AKA real life superhero).

As I grew older and – allegedly – wiser, I studied film and creative writing for four years and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and an Advanced Diploma in Creative Writing.

I then worked as a children's bookseller at a local indie bookshop for two years, before moving on to work in performance marketing (specialising in SEO) for a tech company here in New Zealand.

Somewhere in the middle of all that, I started writing novels, and, despite all of the many warnings, refused to stop. There really is just nothing like it. Middle-grade is my first love, but I enjoy writing in the YA space as well, always with a touch of magic!

During whatever hours are left in the day, I like to play volleyball, rock climb, and most of all, hang out with my wonderful wife, Anita, and our living cloud (samoyed puppy) Appa!

Meet Appa!

Writing accolades

Writing accolades

Writing accolades

WriteMentor Mentee

2022

I was chosen as a WriteMentor mentee in 2022, where I worked on my chosen manuscript under the mentorship of Bloomsbury editor Jonathan Eyers.

I was chosen as a WriteMentor mentee in 2022, where I worked on my chosen manuscript under the mentorship of Bloomsbury editor Jonathan Eyers.

Skylark Soaring
Stories - Shortlist

2024

In the Skylark Soaring Stories 2024 competition, my novel was as one of seven to be selected for the shortlist.

Cheshire Novel Prize
Kids - Longlist

2024

In 2024, I was picked for the longlist of the Cheshire Novel Prize Kids competition.

WriteMentor
Reader's Favourite

2023

During WriteMentor's Novel in Development competition, my novel was chosen for the reader's favourite list.

Diploma in
Creative Writing

2019

I studied creative writing at Whitireia New Zealand, graduating with an Advanced Diploma in Creative Writing.

Want to learn more or work together?

Want to learn more or work together?

Contact me

Kieran Shipley

Kieran Shipley

Kieran Shipley