The Lies We Tell Ourselves

Maura Pierlot is an international award-winning author, playwright and filmmaker in Canberra. Her writing for young adults (YA) explores the complex intersection of identity, self, belonging and mental health. Her acclaimed play, Fragments, supported by the ACT Government, enjoyed a sell-out season and was subsequently adapted as a YA hybrid novel and award-winning web series. Maura's writing for primary school-age children promotes personal growth, character development, critical thinking and community-building. Her latest picture book, Clutterbugs (Big Ideas Press, 2025), is a fun, energetic romp exploring themes of sustainability, recycling, repurposing, organisational skills and the true meaning of gift-giving. Alphabetter - A Better You and Me, from A to Z (Affirm Press, February 2024), presents positive qualities and values that encourage young readers to grow in their mindset and make good choices. What Will You Make Today? (Storytorch Press, May 2023), recently shortlisted for the International Rubery Book Award, inspires children as active participants and changemakers. Maura's debut picture book, The Trouble in Tune Town, won the 2018 ACT Writing and Publishing Award (Children's category) and international accolades. Maura is a longstanding small business owner in the marketing, property and finance sectors and a former medical news reporter, ethicist and editor of Australian Medicine. She holds a B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy, specialising in ethics, and is the Founder of The Book Bench Project, a community literary initiative (http: //bigideaspress.com/the-book-bench-project). When she's not busy writing, Maura visits schools and libraries as a guest reader and speaker, serves as a Role Model and Sponsor for Books in Homes Australia, and is a reviewer and interviewer for the CBCA's online magazine, Reading Time.