Maria’s writing career began in Sydney as an Advertising Copywriter. After working in the US and Canada, she graduated to Creative Director of a London agency. Returning to Australia after several years absence, she launched a second career as magazine editor, feature writer and columnist. Her television credits include presenting current affairs on the nine network, being a Channel 10 presenter and writing and producing the long-running national cookery programme, King’s Kitchen. Maria has had non-fiction published and is a long-time member of the Australian Society of Authors and a Varuna Alumni. Now she is writing fiction and is the winner of the 2007 Todhunter Literary Award for short story and a prestigious Varuna Fellowship. Her first novel, The Gene Thieves, is just released, published by Harper Collins/Voyager. Maria Quinn lives in Sydney, with her husband and the world’s cutest dog. She has two amazing sons sons and three gorgeous little grandchildren.Visit her at http://www.genethieves.com