HAVING started her writing career in a library, Fiona McArthur laps up any chance she gets to visit one - and that's just what she'll be doing while in Wangaratta this September.
Fiona was a young mum of five boys, and a midwife, when she decided to undertake an eight-week 'writing for pleasure and profit' course at her local library.
"From that, I wrote a short story about kids playing their first soccer game and a train going past, and 'Women's Weekly' bought it in 1990," she said.
While it took her another 10 years to finish her first book, Fiona never looked back from the joy writing gave her, and she has now written more than 50 books.
Her latest release, 'Back to Birdsville', is her 12th published with Penguin, and will be the focus of Fiona's visit to the Wangaratta Library on Thursday, September 12 from 6.30pm.
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The new book is set in the isolated Queensland town of Birdsville, and again draws on Fiona's medical knowledge, while also capturing the essence of life in the remote outback and the fun of the Birdsville races.
It celebrates the resilience of Australians living in such unique outback conditions, particularly highlighting the dedication of those tasked with keeping their community safe.
The story follows midwife and emergency nurse Phoebe McFadden, who fled Birdsville as a teenager to escape the drama that surrounded her family, but must return to be a bridesmaid at her cousin Scarlett's wedding.
Romance blossoms - as it usually does in Fiona's books - when Phoebe crosses paths with Atticus Bow, Birdsville's newest policeman.
While she will be in Wangaratta to discuss and promote this new release, Fiona said her author talk at the library would also cover her path to writing.
She said while she was always a reader, "and always that person who wrote poems for people when they were leaving at work", her career was based in health until she became passionate about writing books.
"Writing a midwife story with a doctor was natural for me, as I understood maternal health, it was my world," she said.
She advised budding authors to focus on something they were passionate about, and it could take them to where it has taken her - a whole new world of friendships and learning.
"I love hearing other people's stories - I get so enthusiastic about it," she said.
"It's great to have the opportunity in my bigger books to represent multi-generations - wise, older women, young mums, professional women."
Fiona spent time in the 110-person town of Birdsville while researching and writing the new book, and gained an even greater appreciation of the resilience and no-fuss approach of people living in communities like it, to which she has paid tribute in 'Back to Birdsville'.
"I walked around town and talked to people - the nurse, the policeman, the young couple in the bakery, and was then invited to have morning tea with (Birdsville matriarch) Nell Brook," she said.
"I'm not over-compensating for anything, these people are actually like that.
"Because I loved them all so much, I wanted to go back and launch the book there, so we did, and that's one of the moments in life you don't forget.
"I have the best job in the world, and I used to say that about midwifery too.
"I'm very fortunate that I love what I do; writing has changed my life from being a woman in a small community town working part-time.
"It gave me the opportunity to visit New York and other places which I never would have been able to do otherwise."
Fiona's visit to the Wangaratta Library on September 12 will be co-hosted by Edgars Books and News.
Bookings are essential, and can be made by visiting https://events.humanitix.com/host/wangaratta-library or contacting library staff on 5721 2366 or library@wangaratta.vic.gov.au
