A native of Northern Ireland, Dorothy Simmons graduated from Edinburgh University with a Master of Arts (Honours) in English Language and Literature.

After a year of odd (very) jobs in Sydney, she went home to complete her Diploma of Education at Queens University, Belfast. She then taught in Sydney's Western suburbs before decentralising to the recently established growth centre of Albury Wodonga, since home to herself, architect partner Rob and daughters Frances and Hilary. Teaching experience ranges from high schools on both sides of theBorder to casual work at TAFE, the Continuing Education Centre, Charles Sturt and La Trobe Universities; writing credits include a play performed by the Murray River Performing Group, who also employed her in the writing of their 'Riverboat Show', publication of short fiction in various journals, teaching resources in 'Metaphor' and four 'Young Adult' novels with Lothian Books.

She is currently studying for a PhD in Creative Writing at Melbourne University.

From amateur dramatics ('Actinc') to local magazine 'Codswallop' and associated writers' presentation in the Bicentennial Soundshell to the community novel 'Murray Times' and  'literary' pub crawls, as well as in teaching English, local creative culture has always been a priority; as has reading, writing and wondering what if ...