About me

One of her favourite activities is working with publishers and editors to bring a book into the world of readers. The clatter and hum of the printing press and the smell of the ink are part of her make-up, inherited from a grandfather who was a linotype operator.

Before retiring as Professor of Early Childhood at Macquarie University, she published two scholarly books with Oxford University Press along with many journal articles. With former university colleagues, she is currently preparing the sixth edition of Children, Families and Communities under her professional name, Jennifer Bowes. She also keeps a link with the academic world through her work as a research coach for Research Coaching Australia.

To learn more about writing fiction, Jenny completed a range of creative writing courses including Writing a Novel with the Faber Writing Academy and The Year of the Novel with Writing NSW. She also enjoyed a 12-month mentorship with Australian author, Kathryn Heyman through the Australian Writers Mentoring Program.

Jenny Stapledon publishes a regular book review blog, jennytalksbooks. Two of her short stories have won commendations in local competitions and she has recently completed a first novel.

Her writing explores themes from her life and her academic research. These include family relationships, children’s development and parenting, and how people respond to life-changing challenges.