I'm a mother, wife, long time journalist and community worker, I started my first novel series as a way to help teens discover who they are; reconnect with parents; engage with a more diverse range of texts; find their voices and ultimately interact better with teachers and peers.
I wanted to help Australian youths find their own path to joy, love and fulfilment earlier than the generations before them and I know from experience working in the mental health sector that peer support is the best way to do this. Reading books about real lives takes you on a journey, a journey which can be very trying at times, but sometimes reading about how others have lived and escaping your own reality for a few hours can be just as beneficial as working through your troubles.
I also work with the community through local not-for-profit agencies to promote narrative practice, which put simply, is a respectful, non-blaming approach to community work which centres people as the experts of their own lives and views problems as separate from people. By reflecting on the events of your life through therapeutic journal writing and drawing, tree of life workshops and creative writing classes you take control of your own health and well-being journey. I love that through my work I can assist people to reduce the influence of problems in their lives. If you're interested in setting up a group to facilitate youths learning these healthier coping skills, email me at info@authormathomas.com.au
I also release a monthly newsletter of book reviews, works I have read myself or I include ones that the beautiful teens down at the local youth hub have finished and reviewed for this project. The archive of these newsletters is available here, just click the links below and start updating your To Be Read lists.