About Tina Strachan
Tina Strachan is an Australian children’s author whose debut middle-grade book, Neeka and the Missing Key, was published by HarperCollins Publishers in January 20225. It’s the first book of the Wilder Zoo series which now includes Neeka and the Storm (July 2025) and soon-be-released Neeka and the Great Search (February 2026). The series was inspired by her career in wildlife conservation.
When not indulging in her writing, Tina is working as a conservation officer, focussing her efforts on protecting native wildlife through research, monitoring, community education and mitigation of threats.
Tina is also the co-host of The Book Deal podcast, where she interviews authors and industry professionals about writing craft, author tips and publication journeys.
Tina lives on the Gold Coast in Queensland, with her family and their loudly-snoring cavoodle.
Extended bio
Tina Strachan is an Australian children’s author who enjoys writing all genres from picture books to young adult fiction.
Her debut middle-grade series, Neeka and the Missing Key, Book 1 of the Wilder Zoo series, released in 29 January 2025 by HarperCollins Publishers. The series now includes Neeka and the Storm (July 2025) and soon-to-be-released Neeka and the Great Search (February 2025).
Tina has always written stories for as long as she can remember. Tina’s writing has ebbed and flowed over the years, taking a back seat for some time while she focussed on her other passion — wildlife conservation.
Tina is an animal studies and environmental science graduate of University of Queensland and Central Queensland University, graduating with first class honours for her research on echidna behaviour. She has worked at several world renowned zoos and trained at industry leading establishments across the world. She has also trained as a wildlife vet nurse and still volunteers for her local wildlife rescue group.
Tina has studied writing courses through Queensland Writers Centre, Australian Writers Centre, Curtis Brown Creative and The Loft Literary Centre.
Tina has spent the last ten years employed in the field of koala conservation, working towards a sustainable future for local koalas. This work includes research, community education, population monitoring, and development of threat mitigation actions.
When Tina isn’t writing, she’s enjoying yoga, reading books, drinking coffee, flipping through food magazines (and rarely cooking any of it), preparing for Christmas (no matter the time of year), caravanning near the beach, and home movie nights with her family.
Tina lives on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
You can connect with Tina via her Contact page or email her directly at tina@tinastrachan.com. You can also follow her on Instagram and Facebook to find out more about her book news.. Don’t forget to sign up to her newsletter to keep up to date on book releases, events and anything else interesting she gets up to.
