Shirley McLaughlin was born and raised in country Victoria, and began her working life as a volunteer for a charity in Hong Kong, before having writing and program roles at ABC Radio and the Ten television Network. She also worked in a variety of positions for a wide range of businesses in Australia, the USA and the UK.

Until the 1990s, Shirley was a freelance writer, and eventually decided to write books, churning out one a year throughout the decade. Shirley and her husband both fell in love with Tasmania when they were young. They decided later in life to make the big sea change to Hobart, and ultimately retired to Launceston six years ago.

Hear Shirley McLaughlin talking to Adrian Wood in this Hot Seat program.