Deep Dive by Mei Lau is shortlisted for the 2025 Author of Tomorrow Award, 11 & Under Category. 

Deep Dive: Mystery and adventure are in store for an enthusiastic explorer trying to investigate eerie occurrences in the Bermuda Triangle. Will she make it out alive or will another perish with the truth untouched in the deep waters?

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An interview with Mei:

WNSF: What is your favourite book?

Mei: My favourite book is The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson. It is a really thrilling and heart-wrenching story exploring love, life and loss.

WNSF: Who is your favourite author? Or one who has inspired you and why?

Mei: One of my favourite authors is Caroline Lawrence who writes historical fiction. Her books are always captivating, action-packed page-turners!

WNSF: What is your favourite subject at school?

Mei: My favourite subject is definitely history because it’s like an incomplete giant jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces. I love how there are always discoveries to make, questions to ask and mysteries to solve.

WNSF: What does ‘adventure writing’ mean to you? Why did you choose to try your hand at an adventure story?

Mei: I think adventure writing means writing about characters being courageous when they experience new things that put them out of their comfort zone, challenging themselves and using determination and resilience to achieve their goals. I wrote my adventure story to challenge myself! 

WNSF: If you could ask an author anything, what would you want to know?

Mei: I would ask them, if they weren’t an author what they would be and why?

WNSF: Who would you consider one of your heroes and why? 

Mei: One of my heroes is Trudy Ederle who was the first woman to swim across the English Channel. Her inspiring biography describes how she battled icy currents, jellyfish, disability and prejudice. Years later she became a swimming instructor for deaf children despite losing most of her hearing herself.

WNSF: What is the most adventurous thing you would like to do, or place you would like to visit and why?

Mei: I would love to try ziplining in the Amazon Rainforest because it would be awesome to soar through the canopy like a toucan and experience the stunning natural beauty and wildlife all around. 

WNSF: Where do you find inspiration for your stories? 

Mei: I find inspiration from many places. For example, my story, Deep Dive, is a concoction of ideas based upon the mysterious disappearance of Amelia Earhart, more recent research and news stories, mixed with a pinch of Greek and Norse mythology.

WNSF: If you could time travel, where would you go and why?

Mei: I would love to voyage to 16th century England to meet the Bard, William Shakespeare, and watch his timeless plays in the original Globe Theatre. It would be funny to witness the rowdy behaviour of the audience when they show their displeasure by tossing food and jeering at the actors!

WNSF: What three words would you use to describe your story?

Mei: Riveting, bold, epic.

WNSF: Riviting is right! Congratulations on your brilliant story, Mei, and good luck!