Today on Meet the Author we’re featuring Bethany Loveridge. Bethany is a passionate arts educator and children’s author-illustrator who has always loved storytelling and the natural world. She is the author of the Josie Mack series (for junior readers), the Harper Wells series (for middle-grade readers) and has a picture book called The Picture-Perfect Present soon to be released by Wombat Books.

Bethany's latest release is the first book in the Josie Mack series—Josie Mack and the MEGA Division. It tells the story of eight-year-old Josie, who is contacted by a wombat named Ursula and asked to join the FUN (Fellowship of Underground Nocturnals). The FUN need someone kind and determined (and with opposable thumbs) to help native animals affected by the impact humans have on wildlife.

Where did the inspiration for Josie Mack and the MEGA Division come from?

It’s inspired by a lifetime of loving wildlife, days wandering through museums and animal sanctuaries, adventurous stories about secret societies, and my favourite animals—wombats!

Why do you think its message will resonate with readers?

I hope young readers will connect with Josie and her friends, with the way the characters are curious about the world around them, how they try to act with kindness and be good citizens, and with the wonder and love they have for animals. I felt a lot of joy creating these characters and writing this story, and I hope that’s obvious to readers!

What other types of books do you write?

I write fiction for children of all ages including young adults, but I am particularly drawn to stories featuring adventure, magic and wildlife/wild places. This sums up my reading tastes too!

Before you start writing a book, do you have the plot and the characters all worked out or do you not know how the story is going to unfold until you’re finished?

I think perhaps it’s unusual, but I tend to begin with a story world or phenomenon. I wait for this element to percolate and a storyline and characters to appear (in my mind) before I write chapter summaries. Then I begin. Things change as I’m writing, but if I don’t have some sort of outline before I start, I’m at risk of wasting time, and I don’t like that!

What were some of your favourite books growing up?

I must mention the Liveship Traders trilogy by Robin Hobb, which I first read when I was about fifteen. It’s just the best, most magical story world. Before that, I loved Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda, Teen Power Inc. (now called the Raven Hill Mysteries and also by Emily Rodda), and Animorphs by K. A. Applegate. I still love Emily Rodda, and her Landovel trilogy, which came out in 2024, is such a triumph. She’s still got it!

Which favourite books, movies and TV shows have inspired or influenced your writing? In what ways? 

Those listed above, but also contemporary stories, like The World Between Blinks by Amie Kaufman and Ryan Graudin, Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell, the Amari books by B. B. Alston, the Seven Wherewithal Way series by Samantha-Ellen Bound, Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend, Big Magic by Sarah Armstrong, the Pages and Co. series by Anna James and so many more that I feel bad for starting a list in the first place. And Eragon! And The Dark is Rising! Playing Beatie Bow! Reading these stories, I have learned about pacing and tension (and danger), reader expectation, intrigue and wonder, and writing at a line level.

How important is it to read books when you want to be an author?

Critically important.

What advice would you give to writers just starting out?

Read. And, contrary to what some others say, just read what you like. Don’t finish a book if you don’t like it (but maybe consider why it wasn’t for you)—it will halt your reading and writing flow. I have the best writing momentum and inspiration when I am also absorbed in an excellent book.

Share three things that people may not already know about you.

I put hot chilli sauce on every evening meal and have about 20 bottles on rotation as they all have distinct flavour profiles and suit different meals. To judge a good chilli sauce, always check the viscosity—any viscosity too low (thin) and the sauce has too much vinegar. I love a jammy flavour and my favourite chillis are Carolina Reaper and Trinidad Scorpion. My mouth is watering right now.

Earl Grey tea is terrible. Like … the worst. In general, tea is a nasty, poor alternative to coffee, but no tea, tincture or tisane is quite as offensive as Earl Grey.

I host @LoveOzMG on Instagram because I love Australian-created middle grade literature with my whole heart.