About Melissa
Meet Melissa
I’m Melissa Gijsbers, a writer, storyteller, and speaker who believes in the power of small stories to spark big ideas.
I’ve loved writing since high school, where I won awards for my stories and poems. Back then, creative writing wasn’t seen as a “real” career, so I studied journalism instead. Life carried me in different directions — full-time work, raising my two boys — but I never stopped writing.
Over the years, I’ve written everything from blogs and articles to flash fiction, children’s books, and poetry. In 2012, I threw myself back into the world of children’s literature, rediscovering the joy of storytelling through picture books, junior fiction, and playful experiments with short forms.
In 2022, I was diagnosed as autistic and ADHD. This discovery reframed my journey and gave me new language for what I had always known: that stories are lifelines, tools for self-expression, and bridges to connection. My lived experience of neurodivergence now shapes both my writing and my speaking, helping me bring honesty, humour, and heart to everything I create.
Today, I write across genres — from whimsical picture books to moving poetry to flash fiction snapshots of everyday life. I also share these stories on stage, blending storytelling and imagination to spark audiences of all ages.
Whether I’m writing for children, reading a silly poem about family chaos, or giving a talk on creativity and neurodivergence, my mission is the same: to show that small stories can make a big difference.
Ask the Author
How do you pronounce your last name?
It’s a Dutch surname that’s pronounced “Gizz-Burz”. The G is soft as in Go.
When my Opa (grandfather) came to Australia, immigration asked what his name was, and they wrote is as Gijsbers. It’s meant to be spelled with a y and an umlaut, however immigration spelled it with an i and j.
My father came to Australia when he was three and doesn’t speak much Dutch, I can’t speak any either.
What is your favourite book you've written? Why?
So far it’s “Swallow Me, NOW!”. I really like the story of Sam and, in many ways, it’s a rewriting of history as how I wished things had happened when I was bullied as a child. Having understanding teachers, as well as the resolution of new friends is what I would have liked to happened…
What is your favourite genre to read - and to write?
I’m not sure I have a favourite genre, either for reading or writing. I tend to go through phases… though I do enjoy realistic fiction more than fantasy. This could be historical or contemporary romance, or something else that lets me escape from life, especially when things are stressful!
For writing, while I mostly write for kids, however I am trying my hand at writing a contemporary romance novella at the moment, along with a fantasy book for children. I’ll give almost anything a go… if I have the right idea to write down.
What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?
One of the biggest mysteries we have is where all the odd socks go! I’m sure there is story in there somewhere… just haven’t quite worked out what it could be!
What is the best thing about being a writer?
Where do I start? I love taking aspects of my life and turning them into fiction, changing things to how I wish it would happen. For example, in a story I’m working on, there’s a kid who doesn’t like playing sport, and the teacher finds another way for him to be involved with the team.
I love using my imagination to create a world where things work out, I do like a happy ending.
I also love that writing is a great way for me to unwind and get the voices out of my head!
How do you deal with writer’s block?
There are a few different things I do to deal with writer’s block.
Sometimes I need to take some time out and do something different from writing. It could be take a walk, go to bed (I do most of my writing at night), do some housework, or play with the kids.
Sometimes I switch projects and work on another story for a while. This seems to clear my head so I can go back on the project I was working on.
Sometimes I just write some gibberish and it seems to clear the block. 🙂
How do you get inspired to write?
Inspiration can come from the strangest places sometimes. A story could be inspired by my kids and something they do, it could be a conversation in a cafe, or a writing prompt I stumble on. It could be a discarded object on the floor or a random memory, or something else entirely.
There are days when inspiration doesn’t come, no matter what I do. But when I relax, things seem to change and the inspiration returns.
What’s your advice for aspiring writers?
The biggest advice I can give is to keep on writing. I’ve met so many people who say they would like to write but never have the time…. I have a day job, I am a single Mum – and I write whenever I get a chance. Finding the time is hard, but keep on writing.
Where did you get the idea for Swallow Me, NOW!?
For Swallow Me, NOW! the idea came from a mixture of my own experiences as a missionary kid returning to Australia as well as experiences of my two children being bullied at school.
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