Uncovering Truths in Young Adult Fiction: Karen Cunningham on Writing and Self-Publishing ‘Missing Sarah Harris’

Karen Cunningham is a graphic designer by day, and a closet writer at all other times. An overthinker from way back, she always has a story in her head and is known to become quite panicky when she doesn’t have at least a small stack of books waiting to be read.

Karen is the author and illustrator of Jenny Spaghetti (writing as KarenMargaret), a 2001 independently-published picture book. She was awarded a mentorship from the Australian Society of Authors for her YA manuscript, Missing Sarah Harris, which was independently published in 2024 and is now available in WA book stores and libraries Australia-wide.

Karen is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and Writing WA. She has a manuscript in progress for YA readers which won the inaugural Buzz Words Page Turner Writing Competition, along with more picture book texts, and plenty of other stories to keep her awake at night.

In the 158th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women’s fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Karen about:

• tackling themes that resonate deeply with young adult readers, such as identity and belonging.
• the inspiration behind ’Missing Sarah Harris’
• Karen’s self-publishing author adventure
• her advice to aspiring young adult authors and much more.