Allison Tait

Allison Tait (aka A.L. Tait) is the internationally published bestselling author of two middle-grade adventure series, 'The Mapmaker Chronicles' and 'The Ateban Cipher'. A multi-genre writer, teacher and speaker with more than 25 years' experience in magazines, newspapers and online publishing, Allison lives on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia, with her family. 'Race to the End of the World', the first book in 'The Mapmaker Chronicles' series, was published by Lothian Books ...See more

Allison Tait (aka A.L. Tait) is the internationally published bestselling author of two middle-grade adventure series, 'The Mapmaker Chronicles' and 'The Ateban Cipher'. A multi-genre writer, teacher and speaker with more than 25 years' experience in magazines, newspapers and online publishing, Allison lives on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia, with her family. 'Race to the End of the World', the first book in 'The Mapmaker Chronicles' series, was published by Lothian Books (Hachette Australia) in October 2014. It was shortlisted for the Readings Children's Book Prize 2015 and named a "Notable" book in the CBCA Children's Book of the Year Awards 2015. Book number two, 'Prisoner of the Black Hawk', was released in April 2015 and was shortlisted for the 2015 Aurealis Awards (Best Children's Fiction). Book number three, 'Breath of the Dragon', arrived in October 2015, with book number four, 'Beyond The Edge Of The Map', published in April 2017. 'The Mapmaker Chronicles' series is available in Australia, the USA, the UK, Lithuania and Turkey. 'The Book of Secrets', book number one in 'The Ateban Cipher' series, came out in September 2017 in Australia, with 'The Book of Answers' (number two in the series) following in March 2018. Both books are also available in the USA, through Kane Miller Books. In recent years, Allison has shared her passion for writing and creativity at numerous events for children and adults, including Singapore Writers' Festival, Brisbane Writers' Festival, Sydney Writers' Festival, Somerset Celebration of Children's Literature and more, as a speaker, workshop facilitator, chairperson and panellist. She's a regular speaker in schools, and is represented by The Children's Bookshop Speakers' Agency. Allison is the creator of several courses for the Australian Writers' Centre, including Make Time to Write, Creative Writing 30-Day Bootcamp, Build Your Author Platform and Creative Writing Quest for Kids. Allison is a board member of the Shoalhaven Readers' and Writers' Festival, and is the current director of the children's program. In January 2019, she received a Shoalhaven City Council Australia Day Award for Outstanding Contribution to Arts and Culture. See less