About Karen

Karen Wasson is a children’s author based in Melbourne, Australia on lands belonging to the Boonwurrung people of the Kulin nation. 

In 2022, Karen’s manuscript Inked was the first ever graphic novel shortlisted for Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing’s Ampersand Prize and will be published in 2025.

In 2023, Karen was awarded an ASA/CA mentorship for her nonfiction picture book manuscript, Heart Smarts — now Hooray for Hearts! — She has also had numerous works of fiction and nonfiction published in The School Magazine, Double Helix and The Toy.

Karen has received accolades for her fiction for grown ups, being shortlisted for the Australian Writers’ Centre June 2022 Furious Fiction and shortlisted for the 2021 Wyndham Writing Awards.

A judge for the CYA writing competition and part of the Author Pen Pals and Ardoch Writers in Residence programs. Karen is a member of SCBWI, ASA and The Duck Pond and writes fiction and nonfiction picture books, graphic novels, junior fiction and middle grade.

Prior to being a children’s author, Karen worked in film and television production and as a copywriter. When her third child was born with a congenital heart defect, Karen established and ran Cocooned. A small business specialising in accessible clothing for children requiring medical care.

Karen lives with her husband and their three children where she writes in the cracks, acts as chief librarian of a ‘Kids Only’ street library and volunteers for the Story Dogs program with Henry, the Cairn Terrier.

Karen’s nonfiction picture book — Drop into the Ocean – a tour of the world’s oceans and seas — is available now.