OUR AMBASSADORS
Emily Maguire
NSW
Emily Maguire is the author of seven novels, including the Stella Prize– and Miles Franklin–shortlisted An Isolated Incident, and three non-fiction books. Her work has earned nominations for the Prime Minister’s Literary Award, the Ned Kelly Award and the Voss Literary Prize, while her articles and essays have appeared in major publications including The Sydney Morning Herald and The Observer. Her latest novel is Rapture (2024).
“Books have given me great pleasure since I was old enough to turn pages. I support The Footpath Library because I need to know that these spirit-boosting, hope-feeding life-savers are always available to those who need them most.”
Madeleine Gray
NSW
Madeleine Gray is a critic and writer from Sydney. She has a Masters in English from the University of Oxford and a PhD in feminist literary theory from the University of Manchester. Her first novel, Green Dot, won the Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year, the 2025 Russell Prize for Humour Writing, and was shortlisted for Debut of the Year at the 2025 British Book Awards. Her second novel, Chosen Family, was shortlisted for Literary Fiction Book of the Year at the 2026 ABIAs. In 2021 she was a finalist for the Walkley Pascall Prize for Arts Criticism. She is now a regular book reviewer at The Saturday Paper and on ABC Radio National’s The Bookshelf, and writes arts criticism for such publications as The Guardian, The Observer, Vogue, the Times Literary Supplement, Overland, Meanjin, the Sydney Morning Herald, and the Australian Book Review.
“Reading gives us access to other worlds, to other minds, to hope. I support The Footpath Library because every person deserves access to literature and to the gifts that literature grants us.”
(Photo Credit: Zan Wimberley.)
Peter FitzSimons, AM
NSW
Peter FitzSimons AM is one of Australia’s bestselling non-fiction authors, known for bringing Australian history to life through his biographies and narrative histories. Over a 35-year career, he has been a prominent journalist and columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun-Herald. His many bestselling books include Kokoda, Batavia, Burke and Wills and Ned Kelly.
“I’ve been involved with The Footpath Library for 15 years, and I could not be prouder of the work that we do in providing access to books for people experiencing homelessness. There is no doubt in my mind that books can be life changing.”
Kate Holden
VIC
Kate Holden is the author of In My Skin, her internationally published and award-shortlisted memoir chronicling her years of addiction and sex work in Melbourne. A longtime columnist for The Age, she has also written widely in major publications and anthologies. Her latest book is The Ruin of Magic: Longing and Belonging in Strange Times.
“It’s hard when you’re homeless to keep possessions, and to lose my books when it was my turn was one of the greatest losses I felt. The Footpath Library is such a simple idea — and such a beautiful and enriching one”.
Ken Spillman
WA
With around 80 books to his name, Ken Spillman is one of Australia’s most prolific and versatile authors, editors and critics. He has tackled both fiction and non-fiction, winning and being shortlisted for numerous prizes.
Ken’s writing for children has appeared on four continents in many different languages, and he has entertained more than 90,000 children with his lively presentations on the magic of books.
“I see stories and worlds of the imagination as forms of sustenance, building resilience. I’m proud to be an ambassador for The Footpath Library, which provides opportunities to marginalised people in Australia.”
Lorraine Horsley
WA
Lorraine Horsley writes for adults, children and herself. She is the author of five books, and has had an extensive media career and worked for many years as an ABC Radio presenter and producer. She is currently a PhD Candidate in Creative Writing at Curtin University. Her studies focus on ghost stories for children and how they explore issues of belonging, acceptance, identity and trauma.
“I read to escape, to learn, to travel, to explore other lives and other worlds. The right book at the right time can be life changing. I jumped at the chance to be involved with The Footpath Library and have seen the joy that comes with becoming part of a vibrant community with books as a focus.”
Jen Storer
VIC
Jen Storer is the award-winning author of numerous much-loved children’s books, including the bestselling Truly Tan series. Her other popular works include the Danny Best books and the acclaimed middle-grade fantasy novel Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children. Jen is also the founder of girlandduck.com, where she mentors writers.
“I was raised in a book-free household. However, as is their wont books did manage to infiltrate my childhood. I am beyond grateful for those occasions. I’m honoured to be involved with The Footpath Library, to have the chance to share the life-affirming qualities of books.”
David Whish-Wilson
WA
David Whish-Wilson published his first novel, The Summons, in 2006 and this was followed by Line of Sight (2010), which was shortlisted for the 2011 Ned Kelly Award. He has taught in prison systems in both Western Australia and Fiji, where he founded the country’s first prisoner writing program. David now teaches creative writing at Curtin University. His latest novel is O’Keefe (2025).
“I slept rough myself when I was young and broke. Having taught in the prison system I’m aware how homelessness can be a trigger for incarceration. In both of those situations I’ve seen how books can not only bring about an escape into other worlds, but can also help bring into definition both a sharper sense of ourselves and of the world around us.”
