Melanie was born on the wild West Coast of the South Island, and brought up in a book-loving, story-telling family. She lives in Christchurch with her whānau of artists, inventors and tinkerers. She is the author of two previously published picture books: The Reluctant Little Flower Girl (illustrated by Jenny Cooper, published by Mallinson Rendel in 2008) and Milly Maloo and the Miracle Glue (illustrated by Sarah Nelisiwe Anderson, Scholastic NZ 2011).

Melanie was shortlisted six times for the Joy Cowley Award before winning it in 2022, published in Flash Frontier and in the Australian publication for children The School Magazine. Melanie works at a local primary school, where she enjoys helping young writers hone their craft.