Karen Wasson – Support Material
Artistic Support Material
Sample Pages, Inked, middle grade graphic novel with Jake A Minton, published April 2025
When 12-year-old Sid discovers a talking octopus in his family’s fish shop he is mortified. Otto the octopus is obnoxious, demanding and won’t leave Sid alone until he helps Otto get to the ocean… roughly 300 kilometres away!
Plus Sid has bigger fish to fry. He has to figure out how to get into the art school of his dreams, or else high school next year will be a nightmare.
Can Sid and Otto find a way to work together, or will it all end in full-blown disaster?
Prepare to get INKED!
Project book synopsis
Biography / CV
Karen Wasson is a published author with Drop into the Ocean, a nonfiction picture book published in 2024 and soon to be published graphic novel, Inked. She’s had numerous items published in children’s magazines and worked as a writer in residence with ARDOCH, supporting primary school students to develop their writing skills. Prior to writing for children, Karen worked as a freelance copywriter and has a background in film and television production.
CAREER HISTORY
Children’s Author – 2020 to Present
Writing and developing stories, articles and publications for children
Drop into the Ocean, Hardie Grant Explore, June 2024, Nonfiction Picture Book
Inked, Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing, April 2025, Middle Grade Graphic Novel
Children’s Magazines; The School Magazine, Double Helix and The Toy
ARDOCH Writer in Residence – 2024 to 2025 (program ended)
Developing and leading writing workshops with students at primary schools. Allowing students to develop their writing skills and publish their own anthology of stories to share with family, friends and peers.
Freelance Copywriter – 2016 to 2022
Working to brief, creating website copy, social content, blog posts, eDMs and newsletters for clients including the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation and Nathan Burkett Landscape Architecture.
Cocooned Small Business Owner / Operator – 2016 – 2020
Managing the day to day running of Cocooned, accessible clothing for children with medical needs. Creating content for social media, website and newsletters.
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
Story Dogs – 2022 to present
Providing regular one-on-one reading sessions to help young readers become confident and engaged lifelong readers.
Local Primary School – 2016 to Present
Helping to organise fundraising events, requesting local support and sponsorship. Advertising and putting together social media for events. Assisting in the school’s kitchen garden program.
MEMBERSHIPS
Children’s Book Council of Australia – CBCA
Australian Society of Authors – ASA
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators – SCBWI
The Duck Pond
Sunshine House Writers & Creatives
AWARDS
2023 ASA / CA Mentorship – Winner, Nonfiction Picture Book
2022 Ampersand Prize – Shortlisted, Middle Grade Graphic Novel
2022 Furious Fiction June – Shortlisted, Short Story
2021 Wyndham Writing Awards – Shortlisted, Short Story
EDUCATION
Australian Writers’ Centre, Writing Picture Books 2020
Australian Writers’ Centre, Writing for Children and Young Adults 2019
RMIT, Advanced Diploma in Film and Television Production 2008
University of Newcastle, Bachelor of Arts – Sociology Major 2002
Letters of Support
- Jake A Minton – Illustrator
- Marisa Pintado – Publishing Director Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing
