Michelle Orrelle
About Me (short version)
​I've worked in media and entertainment for over 20 years, have a middle-grade novel and some picture books on submission. I'm working on a new novel and more picture books, and am exited to have a board book and a picture book coming out with Kar Ben Publising in 2026.
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I grew up in Sydney, spent several years in San Francisco, and today I live in Israel.
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Along the way, I co-founded Crew 972 an animation production company and became a tour guide at ANU, the Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv. You can see my cv here if that interests you.
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I have a BA in Visual Arts, Masters in Design, and an MBA. I'm married with three grown sons.
About Me (long version)
Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, I’ve always loved reading, writing, making artwork, and sharing ideas and experiences I find fascinating, enlightening, moving, or unusual.
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I have degrees in Visual Arts and Design. When I finished my Masters, I went to Tel Aviv for a working holiday where I met my London-born, Israeli husband. We moved to San Francisco, California, had three sons, and stayed nearly nine years before moving back to Israel in 2004. Together we founded Crew 972, an animation production company that provides high-end services and develops original properties. Along the way, I earned an MBA.
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A couple of years ago, I set a goal to realize my long-held dream of writing and publishing children's novels and picture books. To hone my writing and to better understand children’s publishing, I’ve completed courses with The Curtis Brown Literary Agency, The Highlights Foundation, Grub Street, The Gotham Group, The Storytellers Academy, 12 x 12 Challenge, Sense Writing, Tel Aviv Writer's Salon, and The Writers Pad. I’ve also attended symposia and workshops related to Jewish literature for children since many of my stories so far focus on Jewish and Israel themes and experiences. I also like to write about characters who come to accept their own quirks or behaviors that make them unique.
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Since 2017, I’ve been a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) as well as the Authors' Guilds. I belong to three local and international critique groups.
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My first middle-grade novel, Not All Milk and Honey is on submission and I'm working on a new novel called Invisible Threads, as well as a number of picture books.
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As a way to practice storytelling in real time, I became a tour guide at ANU, the Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv. I love meeting the diverse groups who come to visit from around the world and learn something new every time I give the tour. Additionally, I am proud to represent Australia as the Residence Event Manager for the Australian Ambassador to Israel. Both are wonderful part-time gigs that—along with my work with Crew 972—continue to inspire me.
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