Aspen ThomasAspen Thomas grew up in the small western Riverina town of Goolgowi, where the vast landscapes and vibrant community life shaped his early imagination. After moving to Canberra for high school, Aspen continued to nurture his passion for storytelling,drawing inspiration from the world around him. As a child, he loved weaving tales about farm machinery that came to life, setting the stage for a lifetime of creative exploration.A passionate tennis player, Aspen has played since childhood and competes in his tennis club's championships every year. Inspired by tennis greats like Ashleigh Barty, his love for the sport parallels his dedication to education. Aspen has been teaching science and mathematics since 2016, bringing his curiosity and enthusiasm to the classroom.Aspen's debut novel, This Is Me!, was born during the isolating days of the Covid years, while he was locked down in his two-bedroom apartment. Deeply personal yet fictionalised, the story reflects his experiences growing up gay and autistic with ADHD in a small rural community. With an overactive imagination and a determination to share his unique perspective, Aspen creates heartfelt, relatable narratives that resonate with readers.When not writing or teaching, Aspen can be found on the tennis court, exploring new ideas, or championing authenticity and representation in storytelling. Read More Read Less