Alison Croggon

Children's novel: The spell that worked

Alison will research and write a magical adventure story that explores class and politics in Australia during the Great Depression, with the aim of illuminating the current day.

Set in Melbourne's lively theatre district, The spell that worked will be a middle grade novel (ages 8–12) that follows the adventures of 11-year-old Sarah Payne, child magician. The action begins when Sarah performs her spin on the Vanishing Cabinet act and accidentally disappears her best friend and supporting performer Violet. To rescue her friend, Sarah must discover her own real magic.

Alison Croggon is an award-winning novelist, poet, theatre writer and critic. She is currently working on Monsters, a creative non-fiction book, for Scribe Publications. She has written nine opera libretti and plays, and her work has been performed around Australia. Her poetry has won the Anne Elder and Dame Mary Gilmore Prizes, and has been shortlisted for two Premier's Literary Awards.