Allison Tait
Allison Tait (A. L. Tait) is the internationally published, bestselling author of 11 middle-grade novels, including fantasy adventure series The Mapmaker Chronicles, The Ateban Cipher novels, and Maven & Reeve Mysteries, and three contemporary novels: The First Summer of Callie McGee, Willow Bright’s Secret Plot, and Danger Road.
The Mapmaker Chronicles series has been long- and shortlisted for multiple awards, including 2015 CBCA Book Of The Year (Notable), the Aurealis Awards, KOALAs, and the Readings Prize for Children’s Fiction. The Fire Star (Maven & Reeve #1) was a Notable in the 2021 CBCA Book of the Year awards. The First Summer of Callie McGee was longlisted for the 2024 Margaret and Colin Roderick Literary Award.
Allison is an engaging and entertaining presenter who speaks regularly in schools and at festivals and events for children and adults in Australia and internationally. Recent festivals include Sydney Writers’ Festival, Somerset Storyfest, Once Upon A Festival, Whitsunday Voices, Writing NSW Kids & YA Festival and more.
Allison is co-host of the top-rating Your Kid’s Next Read podcast and co- founder of the Your Kid’s Next Read community. She speaks regularly about Reaching Reluctant Readers & Writers, as well as all things children’s books, reading and writing.
Her experience as a writer, presenter and course creator (for children and adults) at the Australian Writers’ Centre and co-author of the popular book ‘So You Want To Be A Writer (How To Get Started While You Still Have A Day Job) affords her a broad perspective for creating presentations and workshops for students of all ages.
Allison is passionate about compelling mysteries, epic adventures, reluctant heroes, strong characters and the incredible journey that is ‘growing up’. She has two new middle-grade novels due for publication in 2026.
Books
The First Summer of Callie McGee
A middle-grade mystery about growing up, figuring things out and solving the puzzle of who you are.
It’s the last summer before Callie starts high school and she’s been dragged along to yet another ‘family friends’ holiday.
Determined to change her nerdy reputation, Callie sets out to make waves but nothing is quite as she expects. When the boring south coast town of Sawyer’s Point is rocked by a series of burglaries, Callie decides to investigate…
Listen to A. L. Tait read the first chapter
Willow Bright’s Secret Plot
A middle-grade mystery story about growing up, finding your place in the world and the restorative power of nature.
After moving to the city from the country, Willow Bright feels like she’s lost her mum all over again―and landed on another planet.
Her clothes are wrong, her taste in music is wrong, and even the food she eats is wrong. But when Willow spots a pattern in a series of puzzling accidents and mishaps, she forms an unlikely friendship―and finds new purpose.
Can Willow solve the mystery and find room to be herself along the way? Or will her plot to run home to the wide-open spaces and memories of her mum land Willow in even more trouble?
Listen to A. L. Tait read the first chapter
Danger Road
One podcast. Two brothers. A hit-and-run cold case. Who killed Corey Armstrong?
Everyone’s talking about Corey Armstrong…
Twenty five years ago, on a dark winter’s night, teenager Corey Armstrong was left to die by a hit and run driver on Danger Road. Now Corey’s the subject of a podcast that’s putting his hometown on the map, but with the series almost over, the case remains unsolved.
When brothers Alex and Leo decide to try to find out what happened to Corey, they learn more about his world than they could have imagined. Everyone’s talking about the popular footballer, but the question remains: did anyone really know him?
AUTHOR TALK:
Look, Listen, Take Note
In my general author talk, I dive deep into where ideas come from (and what to do with them), drawing on the inspiration for my stories and sharing tips to inspire kids to write their own.
Grades 5-8,in person (interactive) or online
How to Grow a Story
A variation of my general author talk, focusing on Willow Bright’s Secret Plot and how to take a story from a seed of an idea and then nurture it into a story. Incorporates the main ideas of ‘look, listen, take note’ in a three step format – seed, nurture, blossom.
Grades 4-6, in person (interactive) or online
Write What You Know (Make It New)
A variation of my general author talk, focusing on The First Summer of Callie McGee and how to use places we know to inspire new stories. Helps kids understand they don’t need to reinvent the wheel to write a story and that ideas are all around them.
Grades 4-6, in person (interactive) or online
PRESENTATIONS:
Find Your Writing Superpower
Everyone has a writing superpower, what's yours? In this fun, inspiring and motivating session, I'll help kids work out the strengths in their writing—and how to use them to create amazing stories. Drawing on my own work, I offer tips on everything from description to plotting, finding ideas to editing.
Grades 4-8, in person or online
Writing Fantasy Stories
What makes a story a fantasy story? This session covers the key characteristics of writing fantasy stories, including character, quests, hero's journey and a deep dive into world building.
Grades 5-8, in person, can also be a workshop
WORKSHOPS:
How to Write a (Great) Mystery Story
Explores the key elements of a mystery story from where to start, developing your puzzle and deciding who’s going to solve it, plus five insider tips to take your story from okay to outstanding.
Grades 5-8, in person or online
Who's Telling the Story?
A deep dive into the mystery of Character and Point Of View, using my Maven & Reeve Mysteries to illustrate the choices writers must make to tell a story.
Grades 7-11, in person or online
Unlocking the Story Code
Using the framework of the Ateban Cipher novels and the 10 Keys To A Great Story, this workshop looks at character, setting, plot, language choices, editing, and more.
Grades 5-8, in person or online
Level Up Your Writing
This workshop takes a deeper look into writing techniques and craft, covering point of view, voice, pacing, bringing a setting to life, show don’t tell and more. Includes PDF handout.
Grades 7-11, in person or online
DISCUSSION/Q&A:
So You Want To Be A Writer
Suitable for small groups of senior students interested in making writing a career, I draw upon my experience as a journalist, author, speaker and podcaster to discuss my career as a writer and answer questions about writing and being a writer.
In person or online
Testimonials
Allison did an author presentation to our Year 8 students during Book Week. It was a great success and Allison managed to keep the attention of 210 14-year old boys for 50 minutes - not always an easy task. Her presentation style is engaging, interesting and fun to keep everyone listening. Allison spoke about her own authorship, encouraged the students to read, and gave them tips for their creative writing. The students gave great feedback and their engagement was also evident by the number of them who wanted to borrow her books afterwards. There were several English teachers in the audience and they were also impressed with Allison’s presentation and thought that her writings tips were great.
Sydney Church of England Grammar School - August 2025Allison's presentation on writing fantasy stories was both engaging and informative. Students were extremely interested in hearing about the process involved in writing stories and the elements of the fantasy genre. Allison's presentation was an excellent authentic experience to enhance their knowledge about writing.
Georges River College Penshurst Girls Campus - May 2023Children who live in far flung regional areas are often deprived of opportunities their city cousins take for granted. These kids devour the opportunity to listen, learn and engage with the writers of the books they read but never dream they may have the chance to meet personally. Allison Tait is one author who makes the dream a reality.
As a founding member and organiser of BRW Festival my job is made super easy when you have an Allison Tait on your guest list.
Burdekin Readers and Writers Association - 2022Allison is a highly personable guest speaker. She brought enthusiasm, experience and expertise to her presentations as part of our Book Week celebrations.
Our Stage 3 students responded well and took away loads of practical advice to apply to their own writing.
One of our teachers commented post session, “Allison would be great to get back again; especially for a provocation to a writing unit. So many great ideas!”
It was a delight meeting Allison and learning more about her craft and her active involvement in the broader community.
Cranbrook School - 2019Allison Tait is not only a talented author but was and still is an inspiration to the Year 3 and Year 4 students at Gerringong Public School.
She engaged them in the craft behind being a successful writer by sharing her journey and effective strategies on how to write a quality story.
Weeks after her visit to our school the students still recall and apply the ideas and suggestions she gave them.
At the students’ request we are reading The Mapmaker Chronicles as a class, and this is testament to the presentation Allison gave to the students.
Gerringong Public School - 2015
Danger Road
Willow Bright's Secret Plot
The First Summer of Callie McGee
The Wolf's Howl
The Fire Star
The Mapmaker Chronicles - Breath of the Dragon
The Mapmaker Chronicles - Prisoner of the Black Hawk
The Mapmaker Chronicles - Beyond the Edge of the Map
The Mapmaker Chronicles - Race to the End of the World
The Ateban Cipher - The Book of Secrets
The Ateban Cipher - The Book of Answers
So You Want to Be a Writer
New South Wales
Speaker type
- Author