I grew up near Antwerp, in the north of Belgium, and migrated to Melbourne (Australia), where I have worked in education, child protection policy and public mental health.

My first novel, The Best of Intentions, is quite possibly the first novel featuring a Buddhist social worker who wears leather, drinks cheap wine, is averse to chaos and plays violent video games. It also shows how vulnerable young people with mental health problems or in foster care can fall through the net in spite of the efforts of those charged with their care.

Dr Kate Ryan of Writers Victoria described it as "highly engaging, complex and well-plotted ... an intelligent and moving novel."

My short stories explore events from my youth in Belgium. I wanted to revisit and restore energy to family tragedies that had become shallow from frequent re-telling. I am interested in how memory and language can revitalise or constrain story-telling.

I am married and have two adult daughters. I love cats and goats. My pet hate: leaf blowers.