Melissa is a teacher who is passionate about education, in particular literacy, and believes the ability to read and write gives power to change. Melissa has completed a Master of Education with a thesis by research about picture story book use in the classroom. She uses them in her classroom every chance she gets.
Melissa was selected for The Maurice Saxby Writers Mentorship Program in 2015. Her work has won honourable mentions and she has featured in several anthologies.
Melissa is a lover of beautiful smelling candles that she burns constantly when writing, and yummy chocolate that she may, or may not, have hidden behind a specific picture frame at any given time. Vague details are required to deter her family from searching for it.
Contact email melissawray@hotmail.com.au
Writing Timeline
2023 Summer Change Wombat Books (OCT).
This YA novel is a story about 17-year-old Shae.
A secret. A holiday. A summer like never before.
2020 The Ruby Locket Odyssey Books (OCT).
This YA novel is a story about Kerina
and Saxon.
Two different stories. Two separate lives. One connected future.
"The Ruby Locket is an exciting read and every chapter continues to draw the reader deeper into the mystery that haunts both their pasts."
"I loved everything about this book. It was very hard to put down.
I highly recommend reading."
'"The journey they set out on is full of twists and turns and leaves you in
suspense to the very last page. Beautifully written and easy to read."
2019 Using Picture Story Books In The Classroom - Teacher Magazine
2016 Geelong Writers Inc Perspective Anthology
Anthology of
memoir and fiction – editor/publisher
2015 Geelong Writers Inc Tantalising Tales
Fiction Anthology
Anthology of fiction –
editor/publisher.
Lucky
Draw Anthology.
“Miss Ballard’s Daisy” A collection of stories
from various contributors
2014 Geelong Writers Inc 2014 Moments in Time
Anthology
Anthology of memoir –
editor/publisher.
Yarra
Bend Press Anthology.
“It’s Time.” Honourable Mention and publication
in NMIT anthology.
Heat
Anthology of Short Stories.
“Splish Splash Flash.” An eclectic collection of
500 word works of fiction.
2013 Crock of Charms Anthology
“Keeper of the Rose”. A collection of stories by a variety of contributors.
How to Self Publish By Leti Del Mar
“The Winding Road to Writing” chapter co-contributor
2012 Debut YA novel
published with Morris Publishing Australia
Destiny Road is a story of decisions and consequence.
“This
novel was intense right from the very first page.”
“At
last a realistic YA with characters that actually think and act like
teenagers!”
“The
timing is perfect. You have time to catch your breath when needed without ever
compromising the flow. In fact the novel has such a polished feel I was
surprised that this was indeed her debut into the published world.”
Honours & Awards
2022 Short List (Pitch It Competition) - Just Write For Kids
2020 Honourable Mention (Pitch It Competition) - Just Write For Kids
2017 Master of Education (Deakin)
2015 Maurice Saxby Emerging author/illustrator
Mentorship Program
2014 Dee
Scribe Summer Writing Competition - Selected for Ebook anthology for
“Splish Splash Flash”
Charlotte
Duncan Award - Shortlisted for “There’s always sunshine”
2013 Emerging Author of the Year Runner Up –
Creative Kids Tales Website
Commended
Award – Writing Classes for Kids & Adults
Adult Category of the ‘Real” Writing
competition
2012 Honourable
Mention Gold Coast Writers Festival
Writing Competition Honourable Mention for “Late
Bloomer”
Highly Commended – Writing Classes for Kids
& Adult
Adult Fact in Fiction Writing Competitions for
“Cheeseball Challenge”
2011 Morris Publishing Australia Writing
competition.
Won a publishing contract for Destiny
Road Debut YA novel
2007 Ipswich
Festival of Children's Literature
Runner up in the Junior Novel (Honour
Book Award)
2007 Thomson Education Direct – Creative Writing course
