Welcome!
I’m an Australian author of books for children and teenagers.
I grew up on a carrot farm – it’s true, read here – and have been lucky enough to publish 18 books over the past twenty years. These books are best-known (or easiest to find) in Australia and New Zealand but some of my books have also been published in the USA, Canada, Turkey, Italy, Germany and China. I’ve also been lucky enough to publish a series of books in Brazil – and it always, as a kid at heart, feels amazing (and heart-warming) to receive messages from young Brazilian readers, as it does from any reader, young or older.
My latest release – titled Edge of Time – is the final instalment in the Lifespan of Starlight trilogy. Edge of Time was a series finalist in the Sara Douglass Book Series Award. The Wangaratta Chronicle newspaper wrote, “the fact (that) the trilogy, including the newly released third book Edge of Time, is grounded in a possible but frightening reality makes it an even more enticing read for those who have devoured the first two books.”
Talking of the Lifespan series …
Lifespan of Starlight is now available as an audiobook!
Book 1 in the Lifespan of Starlight series has just been released as an audiobook!
Click here to access a free sample of the opening chapter.
Reviews of Lifespan of Star Light
“This is a totally original sci-fi novel. Lifespan of Starlight is incredibly exciting, impossible to put down, and an interesting and original addition to the Australian Young Adult scene.”
— The Little Bookroom
“Just finished reading Lifespan Of Starlight, a spectacular YA novel. It's more than just a stylish time-travel thriller … I read a lot of YA, and trust me, this is one you don't want to miss..”
— Jack Heath
“This is an essential addition to the library of anyone who enjoys good sci-fi and time travel, and for anyone who prefers their young adult sci-fi not overrun by romance. ”
— 100Percent ROCK Magazine
The Go-Girl Series
Twenty years ago, I wrote books for the Go Girl series. The books have been so successful over the years that many have been re-released and re-designed many times. The series has now been lucky enough to reach more than one generation of readers. When you start out as a writer, there are many things that you hope for, but the number one hope is that people will read your words and find that they strike a chord.
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![A book cover titled 'Go Girl: The Worst Gymnast' by Thalia Kalkipsakis, featuring a cartoon girl with brown hair in a ponytail, wearing a light blue hoodie and purple sweatpants, with crossed arms against a blue background with multicolored trophy icons.]()
Worst Gymnast
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![Cover of a book titled 'Sink or Swim' featuring a cartoon girl in a green swimsuit, pink swim cap, and goggles, waving and smiling, with colorful triangular pennant banners in the background.]()
Sink or Swim
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![Illustration of a girl dancing, wearing a blue top, pastel skirt, and headband, with a pink background with yellow and purple musical notes, and the text "Girl Dancing Queen" and "Thalia Kalkipsakis".]()
Dancing Queen
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![A young girl with long brown hair, wearing a yellow and white striped shirt, denim skirt, pink striped tights, and yellow shoes, waving her hand in front of a colorful background with bows. There is a yellow circle with the words "go girl" and the title "Eister Spirit" with the author Thalia Kalkipsakis written at the bottom.]()
Sister Spirit
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![Book cover with a cartoon girl holding a volleyball, background with colorful balls, title 'Netball Dreams' and author Thalia Kalkipsakis, and a pink circle with white text 'go girl'.]()
Netball Dreams
For younger readers, here’s a free (narrated) book
This is a story about a real-life fairy tree that has its own kind of magic ... (link here is to a YouTube video where I introduce and narrate the book).
Review of Split Infinity: 100Percent ROCK Magazine
“Kalkipsakis draws the reader in with fast-paced, easy to absorb prose, and a plot that will likely keep you up into the night, forever reading ‘one more chapter’.”
Carey Grammar Literary Festival
“Thalia prepared thoroughly for the writing workshops and got great work out of the middle school students. It was a great blend of information about how to write and getting the students to write themselves. Thalia also interacted very positively with the students and they loved working with her.”
Presbyterian Ladies College, Melbourne.