Nadia Wheatley began writing fiction in 1976, after completing postgraduate work in Australian history. Her published work includes picture books, novels for younger readers, young adult novels, short stories (for adults as well as young adults), history and biography (for adults).

She has also written for television and the theatre, and has reviewed history and fiction for a number of newspapers and academic journals. Her work has received many awards and commendations including the CBC Book of the Year Award for Younger Readers (1988) and the Eve Pownall Award. She was awarded a Senior Fellowship from the Literature Fund of the Australia Council for the years 1996-1999.

Nadia Wheatley's other works for young adults include The Blooding (a VCE English set text) and The House That Was Eureka which, in its first edition, won the New South Wales Premier's Children's Book Award in 1985. The new edition, published in 2001 has been completely revised, the author has expanded the story and incorporated additional historical material.