Lili Wilkinson

Lili Wilkinson remembers the day in Beijing when she learnt to read 'in her head'. She was six and has been immersed in the world of books since. It's an obsession she shares with her mother, Carole Wilkinson (the China trip was the germ that sprouted the award-winning Dragonkeeper).

Lili was first published when she was only eleven, in Voiceworks, a creative writing magazine for young people. Following an honours degree in Creative Arts and six months of teaching English in Japan, Lili began working at the Centre for Youth Literature, State Library of Victoria.

Lili lives in inner Melbourne, and loves reading, quality TV, the work of Jim Henson and Japanese food.

Frequently asked questions


How many books have you written?
One, and I'm working on the second one. That's not counting the dreadful fantasy novel I wrote when I was 11 that will go with me to the grave.

What was your first book?
Joan of Arc. It's part of black dog's The Drum series and it's about... Joan of Arc!

When did you start writing?
Pretty much as soon as I could. I've wanted to be an author for as long as I can remember.

Why do you like to write books for children?
Books for young people are somehow more honest — you don't have to impress the reader with your fancy turn of phrase, you can just get on with telling the story.

Where do you get your ideas from?
I used to have a little pot-plant which grew ideas. But I kept forgetting to water it and it died, so now I have to rely on my imagination. Oh, and I guess I read a lot.

Are the characters in your books based on real people?
Well, the one about Joan of Arc obviously is. But when I write fiction, I don't really base my characters on any one person in particular, I just use bits and pieces.

How do you create characters that will appeal to children?
I create characters that appeal to me!

Who are your favourite writers/illustrators? And favourite books?
I love Diana Wynne-Jones, David Almond and Lewis Carroll. Shaun Tan is my favourite illustrator. My favourite books would be Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones and Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll. Oh, and Love That Dog by Sharon Creech. And The Last Samurai by Helen DeWitt. Do I have to stop there?

Which character from a book would you most like to meet?
The BFG.

What do you use to write your books?
I have an Apple iBook, which I love. And I carry a notebook around for when inspiration strikes.

What were you like at school?
I was a bit of a nerd. I loved reading, and hated maths. I was always very involved in drama, and in Year 7 I played Aphrodite in my school musical version of The Odyssey.

What is your favourite food?
Hmm. Either mashed potato (with lots of sour cream and cheese) or sushi.

What are your hobbies?
Reading (surprise!), watching good quality TV, hanging out with my friends, puppetry.

Do you have any pets?
I have a cat called Spud, but he lives with my parents because my flat has no garden for him to prowl about it.

What is your most treasured possession?
My 32 different editions of Alice in Wonderland.

If you weren't a writer, what would you be?
When I'm not writing, I work at the Centre for Youth Literature at the State Library, running events with authors and kids. It's pretty much the best job ever (apart from writing, of course).