Renae Hayward was born during a cyclone in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, but grew up by the beaches of Perth’s northern suburbs. She has authored four books for children, Barking Mad, Say Goodnight, Say Hooray and Say Hello, and was the inaugural recipient of the Ray Koppe Young Writers Residency (Australian Society of Authors/Varuna). She has also contributed as a poet to The School Magazine (NSW Department of Education) and had poems published in the anthology Right Way Down and other poems.
When she’s not writing, Renae is a passionate advocate for early literacy and a familiar face at storytime sessions across WA.
Renae now lives near Fremantle with her husband, James, their two children and Frankie the Labrador in a house overflowing with books.
Find Renae on social media
Contact Renae
You can email Renae via the Contact page.
Publications
- 2025: Say Goodnight, illustrated by Rebecca Mills – Fremantle Press
- 2024: Say Hello, illustrated by Rebecca Mills – Fremantle Press
- 2024: ‘Flight’ and ‘Sick’ appearing in Right Way Down and other poems, chosen by Rebecca Newman and Sally Murphy, illustrated by Briony Stewart – Alphabet Soups Books and Fremantle Press
- 2023: Say Hooray, illustrated by Rebecca Mills – Fremantle Press
- 2013: Barking Mad – Walker Books Australia
Awards
- 2025: Shortlisted – Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards – Say Hello
- 2024: Shortlisted – Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards – Say Hooray
- 2011: Winner – Ray Koppe Young Writer’s Residency
- 2009: First place (young adult category) – Children’s and Young Adult Writing and Illustrating Contest
Memberships
- Society Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
- Australian Society of Authors
- Children’s Book Council of Australia
Renae Hayward 