About Kerrie Davies
Kerrie Davies is the author of Miles Franklin Undercover, released March 2025 (Allen & Unwin). Her previous book, A Wife's Heart, (UQP 2017) created national discussion about the poet Henry Lawson & his marriage.
Kerrie writes immersive, 'world building' biographies.
In 2024 Kerrie won the Dean's Award for Creativity for her collaborative VR educational project with the UNSW immersive lab, and was the visiting fellow at the State Library of NSW. Kerrie is currently researching a new book project
She has appeared at the Sydney Writers' Festival, Brisbane Writers Festival & the National Folk Festival.. Kerrie also writes for the Conversation on innovative biography and subversive literary texts.
Featured Books
An innovative, imaginative work of biography, examining Bertha and Henry Lawson’s marriage through a modern lens
'Verdict: Heartbreaking' - Herald Sun
'A sympathetic, often quite moving portrait of a deeply troubled and unhappy marriage' - The Daily Advertiser
'There is a theory that any woman can be rescued from the shoals of failure and despair by finding some man to ask her in marriage, but before I could be happy in love I should at least need to realize myself.'
In this real-life sequel to My Brilliant Career, author Kerrie Davies uncovers a little-known period in Miles' life, from the servant's quarters of Sydney and Melbourne's wealthy houses to volatile Chicago, in the turbulent years after her early success. Davies draws on a never-before published manuscript and diary extracts of Miles' year undercover as a servant, intimate correspondence with poet Banjo Paterson, and archival sources
from Australia and Chicago.
Miles Undercover is a powerful story of a young woman's enduring resilience, and her determination to always be her own heroine.
New Media Collaborations
VR ICON conversation collab with the Immersive lab team at UNSW Sydney.
Soundscape and new media project in development 'Catherine Hay Thomson' the 19th century investigative journalist (researched with Willa McDonald
Want to collaborate? Get in touch via the 'contact us' section or find me at k.davies@unsw.edu.au
Featured Articles
Afterword 'in converation' to a new edition of My Brilliant Career (Smith & Taylor Classics) with translator Tina Kover
Graphic Biography Review: Bonnets, speech bubbles and cheeky easter
eggs: a graphic biography of Jane Austen is subtly sophisticated.
The Conversation 2025
Sydney Morning Herald
Reviews & News
Thirty books we're excited to read The Sydney Morning Herald (2 Jan 2025)
'A new take on Miles Franklin....what a story!': Lucy Sussex, ABR, August 2025
'...Davies is a further dialogue with originality and the new...this keenly researched and lively introduction to her (Franklin's) vitality and vulnerability will introduce her to a wider audience.' The Age / SMH / Brisbane Times: (March 19 2025)
Miles Franklin Undercover: Good Reading Extract (March 2025)
'A fascinating story of an embattled talent' - SMH, 12 new books to delve into (March 5, 2025)
Good Reads: 'An absolute treat... completely in sync with who she was and the times that she lived through.' 5 stars
'I didn't just read about her...I felt her. And I felt all the other women standing behind her, behind me... whispering you are not alone.' - Chuying, reader '
'...brings people and history to life in an authentic and absorbing way' - Newtown Review of Books.
The Weekend Australian on A Wife's Heart ( 2017): ‘It takes a brave soul to challenge the iconic status of an Australian institution.’ 4.3 stars Good Reads
Author Talks, Festivals & Conversations
New and recent events
Multiple Dates
- Sat, 05 AprIgnite Studio, NR Community Gallery
