Stories From the Studio: Melissa Garside

Melissa is the author of the delightful Lexie Moon junior fiction series, with the first two books already capturing young readers’ imaginations. And now, something very exciting is on the horizon…

Melissa has always had a love affair with words, the kind that starts early and simply never lets go. As a child, she was already spinning tales writing her very first masterpiece in kindergarten featuring a pirate named Jim. These days, Melissa brings that lifelong love of storytelling together with a deep, intuitive understanding of what kids truly enjoy reading, something she’s honed over years in the classroom as a teacher.

Melissa lives in beautiful Wollondilly with her lively crew: her family, a hilariously lovable golden retriever who keeps everyone on their toes, and a flock of free-ranging chooks who provide equal parts entertainment and chaos. When she’s not writing or teaching, you’ll likely find her out in the garden, happily digging in the dirt, soaking up nature, or experimenting in the kitchen, usually without a recipe and often with her family bravely acting as taste-testers! 

As a kid, Melissa filled her days with stories, handmade family newspapers, and plays for friends, and she’s never really stopped. While she’s always written for fun, she began seriously writing for children in 2018, drawing inspiration from the books she adored growing up, classics like The Wind in the Willows, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Roald Dahl’s wildly imaginative stories, and the beloved Anne of Green Gables series. Anything that sparked her imagination found a place in her heart and now, in her writing.

Her ideas can come from anywhere: a curious observation, a fleeting “what if?” moment, or simply letting her mind wander. She’s a big believer in daydreaming and never goes far without a notebook, ready to capture ideas before they disappear. 

Follow Melissa on FaceBook – Instagram – Website

For information on Melissa and the Lexie Moon Series
visit here “The Lexie Moon Series”