Stefanie Koens

Stefanie Koens grew up in a large family in which books and story-telling were treasured. When her novel Daughters of Batavia was awarded the Banjo Prize in 2023, it was the fulfilment of a dream that began at the age of 12 when one of her short stories won a local writing competition.

Although she never lost her love for writing, Stefanie has worked as a teacher, tutor and office administrator.Stefanie also loves history and is particularly fascinated by family stories, secrets and experiences that interweave past and present.

When she’s not writing, Stefanie loves spending time in the countryside and coast around her home in Perth, Western Australia, especially when this involves faith, family and friends. More often than not, Stefanie can be found absorbed in other writer’s stories.