Hello, my name is Shirley Marr (馬雪莉) and I’m a multi-award winning and internationally published author of Young Adult and Children’s literature. My latest Middle Grade novel, Countdown to Yesterday and my debut picture book One Day are out now!
I’m currently unavailable for manuscript consultations, but always open for authenticity reading. I’ll be opening up for mentoring soon, please check back!
I’m based in Perth, Western Australia, but my roots belong in Malaysia and Christmas Island. I think of myself as having a Western mind and an Eastern heart, writing in the middle where both collide.
As a first generation Chinese-Australian and a child migrant, my authentic experiences helped inform my Middle Grade novel A Glasshouse of Stars, winner of the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year for Younger Readers in 2022 and the WA Premiers Book Awards for Writing for Children 2021. It was also nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2022 and shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Award - Children’s Book 2022 and the Readings Book Prize - Children’s 2022.
My follow-up novels, All Four Quarters of the Moon was awarded a CBCA Notable Book in 2023 and Countdown to Yesterday was awarded a CBCA Notable Book in 2025.
I Believe In
Representation. In Chinese-Australian children and youth seeing themselves on the covers of my books and the transformative power of sharing experiences. I’m proud to be a board member for The ASLA DANZ Children’s Book Awards.
My Favourite Moment
Receiving a Starred Review (bucket list item unlocked!) from Kirkus Reviews for Countdown to Yesterday, which describes the book as, ‘An exceptionally lovely and uplifting exploration of change, memories, and relationships’ and ‘an original take on time travel, and perfectly imperfect characters just doing their best all create a vivid sense of place’.
What’s going on
I have two picture books in the works, one coming out in 2026 and one in 2027! I’m also busy writing Middle Grade, a heart novel which feels like I’ve been writing for years now, set on my childhood home of Christmas Island.
Meixing Lim and her family have arrived at the New House in the New Land. Everything is vast and unknown to Meixing – including the house she names Big Scary. She is embarrassed by her second-hand shoes, has trouble understanding the language at school, and is finding it hard to make friends.
Meixing’s only solace is a glasshouse in the garden, which inexplicably holds the sun and the moon and the secrets of her memory and imagination.
When her fragile universe is rocked by tragedy, it will take all of Meixing’s bravery to find her place of belonging in this new world.
Praise:
'Heart-twisting and hopeful, bursting with big feelings and gentle magic.' Jessica Townsend, NYT bestselling author of The Nevermoor series.
'Poignant and beautifully told.' Melina Marchetta, Deadset Australian Legend of Looking for Alibrandi.
'Endearing, raw, and highlights the realities of change in an intimate way.' Better Reading
Official Links:
ANZ - Penguin Random House Australia
UK - Usborne Books
USA - Simon & Schuster
Early one morning, a mayfly takes flight. Her one day is the day, and is a day filled with possibility. There are things to see, places to go, and friends to meet. Mayfly makes the most of every single moment, marvelling at what her life has to offer.
Award winning creators Shirley Marr and Michael Speechley have crafted a story that inspires us to look at things differently, to live life to the fullest, and to seize the day, every day.
Praise:
‘The 'calendar-style' format where you turn this book sideways is so different and utterly perfect.’ Momo Time To Read
‘I have poured over the illustrations and each page has joy to offer.’ Reading Opens Doors
‘Two acclaimed creators collaborating? Of course, it was bound to be sensational. And it is all that and more.’ Just So Stories
Official Links:
ANZ - Walker Studio
USA - Candlewick Press
James wishes he could go back in time. Back to when his mum and dad were together, when he had one home, when his family laughed and climbed hills and went to the movies.
After meeting the enigmatic Yan, a girl who looks at the world differently, James discovers time travel might not be impossible after all.
But if James can live forever in one of his six favourite memories, which one will he choose?
From the incredible mind of Shirley Marr comes a beautiful story for young readers about memories, family, friendship, The Australian Women’s Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book, David Bowie and time travel!
Praise:
‘One part time travel, two parts cake and a whole lot of nostalgia . . . it’s impossible not to love this book.’ Reece Carter, author of A Girl Called Corpse.
‘This smart, lively, retro-cool book about looking back, falling forward and changing your own story will leave you smiling.’ Fiona Hardy, CBCA Notable author of How to Make a Movie in 12 Days.
Official Links:
ANZ - Penguin Random House Australia
UK - Usborne Books
USA - Simon & Schuster
Making mooncakes with Ah Ma for the Mid-Autumn Festival was the last day of Peijing’s old life. Now, adapting to their new life in Australia, Peijing thinks everything will turn out okay for her family as long as they have each other - but cracks are starting to appear.
Her little sister, Biju, needs Peijing to be the dependable big sister. Ma Ma is no longer herself; Ah Ma keeps forgetting who she is; and Ba Ba, who used to work seven days a week, is adjusting to being a hands-on dad.
How will Peijing cope with the uncertainties of her own little world while shouldering the burden of everyone else? And if Peijing’s family are the four quarters of the mooncake, where does she fit in?
Praise:
‘An enchanting, touching, perfectly crafted story that will live in my heart for a very long time. A novel of family, friendship, culture, honour and identity that is both timely and timeless. I laughed and cried so many times, and felt as if my soul and my worldview were both expanding. An instant classic.’ Kate Gordon, CBCA award-winning author of Aster's Good, Right Things.
Official Links:
ANZ - Penguin Random House Australia
UK - Usborne Books
USA - Simon & Schuster
Other Novels
Fury (Black Dog Books, 2010)
Preloved (Black Dog Books, 2012)
Little Jiang (Fremantle Press, 2020)
Other Works
“The Prosperous Phoenix Restaurant” featured in Ourselves: 100 Micro Memoirs (Night Parrot Press, 2025)
“The Magic Dragon Boat” – featured in A Treasury of Traditional Tales (Lonely Planet, 2025)
