Hello and welcome.

I acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the unceded lands where I work, write and live.

I pay my respects to their Elders, past and present, and I celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Elizabeth Macarthur

My first book was a biography of the Anglo-Australian colonist who established the Australian wool industry, although her husband received the credit.

Elizabeth Macarthur: A Life at the Edge of the World (Text, 2018) was shortlisted for the 2019 NSW State Library Ashurst Business Literature Prize and the 2019 CHASS Australia Book Prize. Click on the cover below for more info.

Aaron Fa’Aoso

I’m also the co-writer, with Torres Strait Islander actor, producer and SBS Board Member Aaron Fa’Aoso, of Aaron’s memoir So Far, So Good (Pantera, 2022). Astonishingly, his was the first memoir by a Torres Strait Islander to be commercially published.

In March 2025, Aaron and I released a new book – a novel for middle-grade readers called Spirit of the Crocodile.  It was a finalist in the 2025 Queensland Literary Awards, also in the 2026 Australian Book Industry Awards, and was Highly Commended in the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards. In addition, our little croc book has been shortlisted for the 2026 Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards, the 2026 Margery and Colin Roderick Literary Award and for both of the Wilderness Society’s 2026 Awards for Children’s Literature. Again, click on the cover below for more info.

More about Michelle Scott Tucker (MST)

Right now I’m writing a new biography of Louisa Lawson, to be released by Text Publishing in 2027. Click on that cover for more details too.

I’m not a lawyer, but I currently work as a senior consultant at leading Australian law firm Russell Kennedy, building on a successful career in various government, business and arts organisations – including a stint as Executive Director of the Stella Prize (2018-2019).

I’m grateful to be represented by the best literary agent in Australia: Jacinta di Mase.

In 2024 I was appointed as a Visiting Scholar at the State Library NSW to undertake research for a biography of Louisa Lawson (it’s been extended to 2026 – thanks SLNSW!)

Also in 2024 my Louisa Lawson project was assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. Finally, for better or worse, I’m the only writer to be shortlisted for the Hazel Rowley Literary Fellowship four times (2024 and 2025 for Lawson; 2021 for Fa’Aoso and 2012 for Macarthur).

Writing books, finding publishers and launching them into the world has been a wonderful adventure. I’ve met some terrific people, learned interesting things and travelled to some amazing places. This website – and in particular my journal – is my attempt to share the wonder and interest.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me – all comments gratefully received, as are invitations to speak to groups or book clubs, on radio, at literary events or on podcasts.

Happy reading and best wishes,

Michelle