About Averil

Averil is a Kiwi-born fiction writer, technical writer, knowledge manager and editor living in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia.

Background

Averil is from Ōtautahi (Christchurch) in Aotearoa New Zealand and writes novels, short stories and flash fiction. She lives in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia, with her husband and daughter, and works as a technical writer and knowledge manager.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in New Zealand Literature and American Studies, as well as a post-graduate Diploma in Publishing. She started her career in bookselling, working at the amazing independent bookstore Unity Books in Pōneke (Wellington), before moving into publishing in the public service. In 2006, Averil migrated to Melbourne to pursue further publishing experience, scoring a technical production role at Lonely Planet, where she discovered a passion for technical writing. Averil currently works with global technology company Zendesk, evangelising about the merits of strong documentation (she LOVES documentation).

When not writing, you can find Averil deep into a novel or three, playing board games with her husband and daughter, hiking, or baking delicious treats in her kitchen.

Get in touch

Averil loves to chat with bookish types from anywhere and everywhere.

Recent Posts

I want to talk about … pain

Ethel Webb Bundell Literary Awards: Short Story Award 2024

Northern Beaches Writers Competition 2024

Flash 500 Short Story Competition 2024

Graeme Lay Short Story
Competition 2023

Tasmanian Writers’ Prize 2023

EVENT TESTIMONALS

“Averil Robertson was an exceptional MC for our publishing panel, An Agent, an Author, and an Editor Walk into a Library. Her insightful questions and warm presence created an engaging and accessible space for an in-depth conversation between Danielle Binks, Katherine Collette, and Laura Franks. Averil’s deep knowledge of the literary world, enthusiasm, and professionalism ensured the session ran smoothly and sparked meaningful dialogue. We’re so grateful for the expertise and care she brought to the festival.”
(Footscray West Writers’ Fest 2025)

“Averil spoke with passion, care and insight on the challenges and joys of short story writing at our panel celebrating the launch of the Tasmanian Writers’ Prize Anthology 2023. Her insightful reflections on narrative, character and the craft of good writing confirmed how right we were to select her as one of our finalists.”
(Tasmania Reads 2024)