Helen has won and been shortlisted for several writing competitions, including making the shortlist for the 2008 Joy Cowley Award, the commendations list for the International Aesthetica Creative Works Poetry Competition in 2010, and in 2012 she was the recipient of the Wellington Children’s Book Association New Pacific Studios residency. Her poetry has appeared in various online and print publications. Her e-picture books, Aunt Kelly’s Dog, Jenny No-Knickers, Do Fruit Worry About Getting Fat? and Tessa’s Christmas have been sold worldwide, and translated into French, German and Spanish. Her first play, How to Catch a Grim Reaper, was commissioned as part of the 2015 Young and Hungry Playwright’s Initiative. Helen holds qualifications in performing arts, and currently teaches afterschool creative writing classes through Brain Bunny Workshops, and classes for adults wishing to write for children at the Wellington High School Community Education Centre.