Two Times Miles Franklin Nominated Author Gillian Wells

About the Guest
Gillian Wells is an accomplished English author who has made Victoria, Australia her home for the past 31 years. Living with her beloved cattle dog Jess, Gillian has established herself as a distinctive voice in Australian literature, particularly known for her compelling stories set in the outback.

Gillian's path to becoming an author is as inspiring as it is unconventional. Though she dreamed of writing since childhood—boldly telling her father as a teenager that she would become an author—life intervened, and that dream was put on hold. It wasn't until after her children had grown and she found herself with more time that she finally sat down to write.
Her writing career began with children's books inspired by her grandchildren: the Bub and Tub series (volumes 1 and 2) and Boots and Scoots—stories she originally told to her grandchildren before committing them to paper. From there, she transitioned to adult fiction, and in just ten years has written an impressive 20 books (with more in the pipeline).

Gillian's work has received significant recognition in the Australian literary community. Her novel Alone was nominated for the prestigious 2021 Miles Franklin Award, followed by her sequel Consequences earning a nomination for the 2022 Miles Franklin Award. When asked about these nominations, Gillian was characteristically humble, admitting she was "completely blown away" and initially wondered if it was a mistake. She expressed being thrilled simply to be nominated alongside renowned writers like Tim Winton, never expecting to win but honored to be part of that conversation.

Gillian's rich life experience deeply informs her writing. Before becoming an author, she worked as a milliner, trained horses, performed as a concerto singer, and farmed in England. This diverse background, combined with decades of observation and her fascination with people and relationships, gives her work an authenticity that resonates with readers.
Despite being English, Gillian has captured the Australian outback with such accuracy that during her book tour for Alone through Queensland libraries, every reader told her she had "nailed it"—a compliment she treasures. She feels genuinely at home in the outback and in wild, isolated places, which comes through powerfully in her writing.

Advice to Aspiring Writers
When asked about her advice for new writers, Gillian keeps it simple: "If there's a story within you, then you need to sit down and write it." She encourages practicing and drafting until it's right, emphasizing that writing must come from within—from the heart. As she puts it, "practice makes perfect. The more you write, the better you'll get."

For more information about Gillian Wells and her complete catalogue of books, visit https://gillianwellsauthor.com.au/

Listen to the full inaugural episode of Launch Spotlight Podcast to hear Gillian's warm, engaging conversation with host Eddie about her journey, her craft, and the stories that drive her to keep writing.