Tallis Baker grew up on acreage just outside of Brisbane, Australia, and spent her childhood searching for bears in the forest or magic between the pages of a book. In high school, she fell in love with sea creatures and went on to study marine science and writing. She now works on climate change adaptation policy in Canberra. In her free time, she writes queer environmental fantasy.
Co-authored with her mother, Louise Martin-Chew, Uncomfortable Silence is her first memoir and is set to be released in 2027.
What inspired you to be a writer?
I've always loved writing. I guess because I love reading. I wrote my first book at seven years old as a birthday present for my younger brother - it was a hand-drawn picture book called 'Rocket to the Rescue', about spaceships. I wrote my first (very very bad) novel at 12, and I've been writing ever since.
What prompted you to write 'Uncomfortable Silence'?
It's important to me that there is more awareness of selective mutism, both for people who suffer from SM and for the people around them. This world would be better with more empathy and understanding, and hopefully this book contributes a little towards that.
Do you have any more books in the pipeline?
I am currently working on a YA fantasy book, which I hope to get published in the next couple of years.
What is your professional background?
I studied marine science and climate change at university, and I have worked on infrastructure decarbonisation and climate adaptation.
Any advice you’d like to give to aspiring writers?
Don't give up. It takes a lot of effort to write a book, and even more so to get it to a stage where anyone else could read it. The only way is through. It'll suck. It'll be hard. But when you've done it once, you know you can do it again.
Who/what inspires you?
My favourite authors, the world in general. :)
What are your hobbies, interests and favourite books?
My main hobbies are reading, writing, and exercising. My list of favourite books would be a long one, but some of them are Truthwitch by Susan Dennard, There Will Come a Darkness by Katy Rose Pool, Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy, The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi.
How can readers contact you?
Via LinkedIn.
