Graeme Lay began writing in the late 1970s, first short stories, then novels and non-fiction works, including collections of travel writing.

Many of his books are set in the islands of the South Pacific, through which he has travelled widely and which are a source of inspiration for him. He has also travelled extensively in Australia. Graeme Lay has published over 40 books: novels for adults and young adults, collections of short stories and travel writing, and works of non-fiction.

Several of his books have become bestsellers, notably the historical novels The Secret Life of James Cook (2013), James Cook’s New World (2014), James Cook’s Lost World (2015) and Fletcher of the Bounty (2017). There have been seven editions of his Globetrotter Travel Guide to New Zealand (New Holland).