As a child growing up in the leafy suburb of Frankston South, Sharna Carter could always be found reading or lost in a world of imagination. Whether she was putting on backyard plays, inventing games with her siblings, or dreaming of stardom on Neighbours, Sharna’s days were steeped in creativity and storytelling. Although the childhood dream of becoming a TV star faded, her deep love for books and storytelling only grew stronger with time and led her to becoming a children’s author.
With a passion for performance from a young age, Sharna naturally gravitated toward studying Drama at university. Her love for the stage evolved into a passion for teaching and, after graduating, she began a rewarding career in education. Though she’s currently on leave, Sharna still sees teaching as a fundamental part of who she is. “Teaching is a career that I’m really proud of,” she says. “I particularly loved working with teenagers, and it gave me the opportunity to inspire young creatives.’
It wasn’t until the birth of her first child in 2014 that Sharna’s path took a creative turn toward picture books. “I was always reading to my son. Any time of day, we’d curl up together and share a story,” she says with a smile. “I started having little rhymes pop into my head, along with characters and story ideas, so I began writing them down.” What began as a quiet creative outlet during nap times soon became a passion. By the time she had her second child in 2016, Sharna had completed writing courses, joined an online writing critique group, and was writing almost every day.
Several of Sharna’s short stories were selected for publication with the Anthology Angels, a charity initiative that donates profits from book sales to various causes. Her story, The Butcher’s Boy, was featured on 4RPH Reading Radio Halloween Special, and her story and performative reading of, Gruff Billy’s Goatee, was selected for the Life’s Little Treasures Read-A-Thon.
In 2020, amid the chaos of pandemic lock-downs, remote learning, and a house move to the Mornington Peninsula, Sharna received some exciting news – a contract for her debut picture book, Watermelon Pip. This story has a powerful message about sustainability and has become a favourite in schools and kindergartens, inspiring learning, craft activities and even book week costumes.
But there was more success to come. While raising her young family and welcoming her third baby, Sharna released her Rex Board Book Series with Five Mile Press. These playful lift-the-flap books support little readers with routines, language, and imaginative play. “It’s been wonderful to hear how much families are enjoying them,” Sharna says.
Then, one quiet evening, as Sharna rocked her baby to sleep, she found herself reflecting. “I was thinking about all the years I had dreamed of him and thinking about all the fun we were going to share together.” Sharna remembers. “Then a rhythm and words began forming.” That moment became the spark for, I Dreamed of You, a tender, lyrical picture book about longing, love, and the hopes and dreams we have for our children.
When Sharna received an offer of publication from Affirm Press she was ecstatic. “I literally dropped to the floor!”, she laughs. “Affirm publishes the most beautiful picture books, and to know that mine would be among them was a dream come true.”
I Dreamed of You, was released in April 2025 and officially launched at Antipodes Bookshop in Sorrento, a fitting location given the book’s setting. Illustrated by the talented Gabby Grant, the book captures the Mornington Peninsula’s coastal beauty and the loving bond between mother and child. “Gabby’s illustrations are just magical,” says Sharna. “She brought the story to life in a way I never could have imagined.”
The response to the book has been overwhelming. Parents have written to Sharna to share how the story touched their hearts. “I’ve been told that it has brought tears to the eyes for many mums,” she reflects.
“I think it’s because it is a story written from the heart and that genuine love really shines through.” It’s no wonder then that, I Dreamed of You, has already had great success, with rave reviews and even making bookshop’s best-sellers lists.
Today, Sharna continues to write from her home on the Mornington Peninsula, balancing life as a mother with her blossoming career as a children’s author. With more picture books set for release next year, she reflects on her writing journey and the secret to her success: “Passion, persistence and a whole lot of coffee!”
If you would like to follow Sharna’s writing journey, you can visit her website www.sharnacarter.com or follow her on Instagram @sharnacarterauthor