Crime fiction and children's book Writer who is known by the pseudonyms of Mary-Anne Dickinson and Emily Rodda. Her best-known works include the Fairy Realm, Deltora Quest, and Rowan of Rin fantasy series.
In 1973, she obtained her MA in English Literature from the University of Sydney. She published her first book, Something Special, in 1984; the work received the Australian Children's Book Council's Book of the Year for Younger Readers Award.
In 2008, she won the Aurelia Award for Best Children's Novel for The Wizard of Rondo.
She settled in the Blue Mountains of South Wales with her husband, Bob Ryan. She had four children, including singer/songwriter Kate Rowe.
She and True Blood actor Ryan Kwanten are both graduates of the University of Sydney.
