Jessica Shirvington is the author of the popular Embrace series for young adults. This five-book series follows the life of Violet Eden, a young woman who, on turning 17, discovers she's Grigori – part angel and part human. The first book in the series, Embrace, was picked up by author agent Selwa Anthony in 2010 – not long after Jessica completed two creative writing courses at the Australian Writers' Centre.

Since she scored an agent and a three-book deal with Hachette Australia, Jessica has published five books – four in the Embrace series (with a fifth on the way) and a stand-alone novel, Between the Lives. In just four years Jessica has gained a huge following, with her books being published in the US, the UK and Germany.

Interview by Danielle Williams, course manager of Australian Writers' Centre.

www.WritersCentre.com.au