Maura Pierlot

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Maura Pierlot

Goodreads Author


Born
The United States
Website

Twitter

Genre

Influences

Member Since
December 2017

URL


Maura is an award-winning author, playwright and filmmaker based in Canberra, Australia. Her young adult work across art forms explores the complex intersection between identity, self and belonging. Tackling youth mental health themes, Maura’s acclaimed play, Fragments, is now an award-winning web series, feature-length anthology film and hybrid young adult novella.

Maura enjoys writing for children. Clutterbugs (Big Ideas Press, 2025) is a fun, zany adventure that showcases personal responsibility, sustainability and creativity. Alphabetter – A Better You and Me, from A to Z (Affirm Press, 2024), presents fun, relatable scenarios that encourage children to explore positive character traits and values. What Will You Make Today? (Storytorch
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Popular Answered Questions

Maura Pierlot Usually, I ignore it. I'm a moody writer and prefer to pound the keyboard when I'm inspired, energised and in the zone. Otherwise, I'm likely to be no…moreUsually, I ignore it. I'm a moody writer and prefer to pound the keyboard when I'm inspired, energised and in the zone. Otherwise, I'm likely to be non-productive and too inside my head (and it's already way too crowded there). I admire people who are self-disciplined and can sit and produce. I used to be consumed by ideas and characters; writing was often a kind of compulsion for me – a way to make sense of the world. I've had to train myself to strive for balance, taking a break, when needed, rather than writing for so long that my limbs (and mind) are numb. I'll often go for a walk, call a friend, cook, garden, paint – anything to get away from the screen. I know many authors who write to a word count each day then edit and pare back much later. I tend to 'live' with characters for months and, when they're truly well formed, they're often bursting to come out. That's when the ideas really flow. So in a sense, I find writing to be a somewhat mystical, not rational, practice.(less)
Maura Pierlot Being an aspiring writer is a tough gig. The industry is forever changing and commercial considerations dominate most publishing decisions. I'm consta…moreBeing an aspiring writer is a tough gig. The industry is forever changing and commercial considerations dominate most publishing decisions. I'm constantly having a conversation with myself about why I'm writing, who I'm writing for and how to bring my work to audiences. I have more questions than answers ;-) We all have different writing journeys though our challenges and achievements may overlap along the way. That said, I hope the 'Top 10' tips I've compiled are helpful. Perhaps I should add an 11th tip: 'Be wary of Top 10 Lists!' Take whatever works for you and discard the rest.

Here are my top ten tips … in no particular order:

1. Work out who you’re writing for and why.
2. Believe in yourself.
3. Believe in your work.
4. Seek feedback (but go with your gut).
5. Read widely, and often, across genres.
6. Be a keen observer.
7. Be open to changing directions.
8. Find your natural (writing) fit.
9. Don’t sell your soul – in the industry, on social media. Anywhere.
10. Never give up.
(less)
Average rating: 4.52 · 44 ratings · 22 reviews · 6 distinct worksSimilar authors
The Lies We Tell Ourselves

4.57 avg rating — 23 ratings5 editions
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The Trouble in Tune Town

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4.60 avg rating — 5 ratings — published 2017 — 2 editions
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Clutterbugs

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it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 3 ratings5 editions
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Alphabetter – A Better You ...

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4.33 avg rating — 3 ratings
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What Will You Make Today?

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really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3 ratings
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More books by Maura Pierlot…

The Strange Compulsion to Blog

I hit ‘publish’ for a newsletter—my first on Substack—a few weeks ago. I didn’t mean to, but that’s another story.… Read more The Strange Compulsion to Blog
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Published on November 29, 2025 23:57
The Mother Fault
Maura Pierlot is currently reading
by Kate Mildenhall (Goodreads Author)
bookshelves: currently-reading
read in April 2023
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Maura’s Recent Updates

Maura Pierlot is now friends with Jen
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Maura Pierlot is now following Rina's reviews
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Maura Pierlot and 31 other people liked Suz's review of The Lies We Tell Ourselves:
The Lies We Tell Ourselves by Maura Pierlot
"I am so glad I read this book! This is YA, but if you’re like me and love to read across all genres and age groups you will love it too. The Lies We Tell Ourselves blends all the twisty topics of adolescents and life - self image and the complexities" Read more of this review »
The Lies We Tell Ourselves by Maura Pierlot
" Thank you for this fabulous review, Suzanne. Although Harley’s story is YA, I think it offers insights for all of us. I’m so glad you loved it 🥰 "
The Lies We Tell Ourselves by Maura Pierlot
" Thanks for this wonderful review, Veronica 🥰 "
The Lies We Tell Ourselves by Maura Pierlot
" Thank you for this wonderful review, Melissa. "
The Lies We Tell Ourselves by Maura Pierlot
"It's been a while since I read a book that had me mulling it over for a while afterwards, lately I just move on to the next book, but this was one of those books.

'The Lies We Tell Ourselves' is an amazing YA novel, one that should be on reading lists" Read more of this review »
The Lies We Tell Ourselves by Maura Pierlot
"Very impressive.
A harrowing story about body image. A topic that I’m afraid never goes out of date.
Maura Pierlot exposes the fragility of the teenage years in this heartfelt story that reflects on the societal perceptions of being thin.

Harley makes a" Read more of this review »
The Lies We Tell Ourselves by Maura Pierlot
" So glad you enjoyed the story, Chloe. Thank you for your thoughtful review. "
Alphabetter – A Better You and Me, from A to Z by Maura Pierlot
" Thank you for the lovely review, Aleesah. Here’s to all of us living our best lives! "
More of Maura's books…

Topics Mentioning This Author

John Irving
“Half my life is an act of revision.”
John Irving

Toni Morrison
“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”
Toni Morrison

“I write to give myself strength. I write to be the characters that I am not. I write to explore all the things I'm afraid of. ”
Joss Whedon

Eleanor Roosevelt
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Eleanor Roosevelt

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