Stories about love, loss and the courage to begin again.

From family and forgiveness to birth, survival and the shadows that linger in remote places, my stories explore the complexities of the human experience and the courage it takes to begin again.

About Selena

I'm a Brisbane-based writer, award-winning photographer, wife, mum of four and lifelong storyteller with a love of the outdoors, a good book and a strong cup of tea.


For more than 30 years, I've been telling stories through words and photographs. These days, I'm turning my attention to the stories I've always wanted to tell, exploring the messy, complicated and wonderfully human sides of life through fiction and memoir.


When I'm not writing, you'll probably find me behind a camera, exploring somewhere in the bush or dreaming up my next story.

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30,000 words. When I first wrote
30,000 words. When I first wrote "I'm Sorry, I Love You" at the top of a blank page, I had no idea where this story would take me. Some days the words have poured out. Other days I've stared at the screen wondering if I had anything left to say. This book has made me revisit memories I'd packed away for years. It's challenged me, surprised me, and more than once left me sitting at my desk in tears. But today I'm celebrating. Thirty thousand words. Thirty thousand words closer to telling the story that has lived quietly inside me for so long. There's still a long way to go. But today... I'll take the win. 💛 #amwriting #authorsofinstagram #writingjourney #Bookstagram #EmergingAuthor
Some things you hear as a child are simply never forgotten. They become part of the soundtrack of your life. Words spoken so casually by adults that linger long after the moment has passed. Long after they've been forgotten by the person who said them. As I've been writing my current manuscript, I've found myself returning to those moments. Not because they're the biggest memories, but because they're often the ones that quietly shape who we become. It's fascinating what the mind chooses to hold onto. Perhaps that's what memory really is... not a perfect record of our lives, but a collection of the words that left the deepest mark. ? Have you ever found yourself remembering something someone said to you decades later? #Bookstagram #WritersOfInstagram #AuthorLife #EmergingAuthor #AustralianAuthor
Some things you hear as a child are simply never forgotten. They become part of the soundtrack of your life. Words spoken so casually by adults that linger long after the moment has passed. Long after they've been forgotten by the person who said them. As I've been writing my current manuscript, I've found myself returning to those moments. Not because they're the biggest memories, but because they're often the ones that quietly shape who we become. It's fascinating what the mind chooses to hold onto. Perhaps that's what memory really is... not a perfect record of our lives, but a collection of the words that left the deepest mark. 💛 Have you ever found yourself remembering something someone said to you decades later? #Bookstagram #WritersOfInstagram #AuthorLife #EmergingAuthor #AustralianAuthor
There are stories that sit quietly inside you for years. The ones you think about while driving, walking, or lying awake at night. The ones you promise yourself you'll write
There are stories that sit quietly inside you for years. The ones you think about while driving, walking, or lying awake at night. The ones you promise yourself you'll write "one day". This year, I finally stopped waiting. Being part of the Year of the Novel with Queensland Writers Centre under the guidance of the wonderful author Karen Foxlee, has given me exactly what I needed: accountability, encouragement, honest feedback, and a room full of people who understand why these stories matter. Writing can be a lonely pursuit. Spending so much time with other writers has reminded me that every novel starts the same way: one page, one chapter, one sentence at a time. It's been such a motivating experience, and it's given me the confidence to keep writing the stories I've always wanted to tell. I'm incredibly grateful to everyone at the Queensland Writers Centre, to Karen, and to the amazing group of writers I've shared this journey with. I can't wait to see where all of our stories go! #yearofthenovel #EmergingAuthor #WritersLife #australianstory #Bookstagram
It's been 30 years since I've been in a high school library, and yet this is where I've found myself on a Friday afternoon.... enjoying the smell of the books and the colour of the high school experience.... and place where my love of books began so many years ago. Sitting here waiting for my son, I reflect with gratitude on how lucky we are to grow up in a society where books are provided, stories new authors are born. #librarylife #highschoollife #ilovebooks? #brisbaneauthor
It's been 30 years since I've been in a high school library, and yet this is where I've found myself on a Friday afternoon.... enjoying the smell of the books and the colour of the high school experience.... and place where my love of books began so many years ago. Sitting here waiting for my son, I reflect with gratitude on how lucky we are to grow up in a society where books are provided, stories new authors are born. #librarylife #highschoollife #ilovebooks📚 #brisbaneauthor
I walked from the other side of Brisbane city after being caught up in meetings today just to get a copy of Robin Bailey's book
I walked from the other side of Brisbane city after being caught up in meetings today just to get a copy of Robin Bailey's book "Flamingos aren't born pink". Born and bred in Brisbane, I've been a very long-time radio listener of Robin's over the years and feel like I've ridden the emotional roller coaster of life together along the way. As I continue writing my own memoir, I'm looking forward to not only reading Robins' story but also to being inspired in my own journey by the courage and resilience I've witnessed from Robin and her boys over the years. What an awesome woman and mum! A big thank you to @dymocksbrisbane for the opportunity to pick up the book and especially @robinbaileynow for your time at the very end of your signing to stop and speak with me. I can't wait to get reading!! #queenslandwriterscentre #memior #robinbailey #brisbaneradio
Most people think life splits cleanly — one road to success, one road to failure. But that’s not how it works. The truth? The path to anything meaningful is messy. It twists. It doubles back. It humbles you. It teaches you things you didn’t ask to learn. Failure isn’t the opposite of success — it’s woven through it. Every “no”, every misstep, every moment where you question yourself… it’s all part of the same road. The only difference is whether you keep moving. In writing — and in life — there’s no straight line. Just courage, persistence, and the willingness to keep showing up when it would be easier not to. Keep going. Your “win” is built from everything you thought would stop you. #amwriting #writerslife #creativity #keepgoing #authorlife writingcommunity resilience growth storytelling
Most people think life splits cleanly — one road to success, one road to failure. But that’s not how it works. The truth? The path to anything meaningful is messy. It twists. It doubles back. It humbles you. It teaches you things you didn’t ask to learn. Failure isn’t the opposite of success — it’s woven through it. Every “no”, every misstep, every moment where you question yourself… it’s all part of the same road. The only difference is whether you keep moving. In writing — and in life — there’s no straight line. Just courage, persistence, and the willingness to keep showing up when it would be easier not to. Keep going. Your “win” is built from everything you thought would stop you. #amwriting #writerslife #creativity #keepgoing #authorlife writingcommunity resilience growth storytelling
Second Year of the Novel Workshop today with the @qldwriters Center and @karenfoxleeauthor. Such a great session planning and plotting out my book. Looking forward to putting what I've learned into practice this week. #Australianauthor #fictionbooks #workshop
Second Year of the Novel Workshop today with the @qldwriters Center and @karenfoxleeauthor. Such a great session planning and plotting out my book. Looking forward to putting what I've learned into practice this week. #Australianauthor #fictionbooks #workshop
My day of writing today involved looking through old photos of what life was like in the 60s and 70s in Australia. Oh how things have changed! #authorlife #oldphotos #Australianauthor #booksbooksbooks
My day of writing today involved looking through old photos of what life was like in the 60s and 70s in Australia. Oh how things have changed! #authorlife #oldphotos #Australianauthor #booksbooksbooks
What I'm reading ? I've just finished
What I'm reading 📚 I've just finished "The Heart's Invisible Furies" by @johnboyneauthor. What a compelling and heartfelt story of accepting who we are and the path we sometimes need to take to find happiness. This was an unexpected joy to read! Now on to "Wild Dark Shore" by Australian author @charlottemcconaghy. I'm already hooked after the first couple of chapters. #whatimreading #fictionbooks
I've got stories.... and lots of them. And I've always wanted to tell them through literature. I set my 2026 as my
I've got stories.... and lots of them. And I've always wanted to tell them through literature. I set my 2026 as my "Year of Intention" - with several key goals in my sights. One such goal... to write a novel in a year. I've written stories before. Lots to be honest. But I've never truly shared them. And they've never been this long. 2026 is the year that will change. Together with my adult daughter Rebekah, we signed up to the Queensland Writers Centre Novel of the Year course with Author Karen Foxlee. After just one workshop and lots of inspiration from Karen and the group, I'm now 20,000 words deep into my first novel length transcript and going strong. I'll share more in the coming months, but I am already feeling grateful for the opportunity and the 'start' this has given me. Watch this space! #brisbaneauthor #queenslandwriterscentre #memior #novelwriting
"Free to Shine" I loved creating this digital illustration and book cover design. #timetoshine #bookstagram #book #bookcoverdesign #bookcoverdesigner #selenarollason #graphicdesigner #digitalillustration
"Uncharted" Another book on the curiosity series. Image taken by myself on the wreck of the HMAS Brisbane. #bookcoverdesigner #Bookcover #graphicdesigner #underwaterphotographer #editorialdesign #author #sekeba #selenarollason
"Lone Wanderer" This piece features the underwater work of Robert Smith from @rjsfoto.au #bookcoverdesigner #illustratedbook #illustration #graphicdesigner #selenarollason #bookcoverdesign #underwaterphotography #commercialprinting #Australia
I'll now be using this account to share my book cover designs and build my portfolio of covers. I have always loved books and always will and am forever drawn to books and their covers in the shops. To pursue this side of my graphic design career is something I've always wanted to do. And there is no time like the present!! Watch this space! #bookcoverdesign #author #illustratedbook #coverdesign #photography #advertisingphotography #illystration #graphicdesigner #selenarollason #bookcoverdesigner
I'll now be using this account to share my book cover designs and build my portfolio of covers. I have always loved books and always will and am forever drawn to books and their covers in the shops. To pursue this side of my graphic design career is something I've always wanted to do. And there is no time like the present!! Watch this space! #bookcoverdesign #author #illustratedbook #coverdesign #photography #advertisingphotography #illystration #graphicdesigner #selenarollason #bookcoverdesigner
Today's truth #SelenaRollason #graphicdesign #handlettering
Today's truth #SelenaRollason #graphicdesign #handlettering
A fun handlettering project created for a friend recently. So need to do more of this. Handlettering is fun! #handlettering #selenarollason #sr_creative #graphicdesigner #brisbane #sayyes @katemudgephotography
A fun handlettering project created for a friend recently. So need to do more of this. Handlettering is fun! #handlettering #selenarollason #sr_creative #graphicdesigner #brisbane #sayyes @katemudgephotography
I'm a big believer in saying Yes. That when opportunity knocks, you embrace it and grab it with both hands. Because if things aren't meant to shape you, they won't come your way. So whatever it is that you are looking for... take it. Shape it. And say yes. The time is now! I'm ready! #emergingauthor #selenarollason #graphicdesigner #photographer #brisbane
I'm a big believer in saying Yes. That when opportunity knocks, you embrace it and grab it with both hands. Because if things aren't meant to shape you, they won't come your way. So whatever it is that you are looking for... take it. Shape it. And say yes. The time is now! I'm ready! #emergingauthor #selenarollason #graphicdesigner #photographer #brisbane
Food Photography from a visit to @corbettandclaude Shot on @samsung_s21_ultra #foodphotography #selenarollason #sr_creative #corporatephotography #contentcreator #brisbane
Food Photography from a visit to @corbettandclaude Shot on @samsung_s21_ultra #foodphotography #selenarollason #sr_creative #corporatephotography #contentcreator #brisbane
? Sharing my own story through imagery ? In 2013, I suffered the devastating loss of my fourth child. I have never felt so alone and so broken in my entire life. For days I carried around my baby while we decided what to do, waiting to see if nature would take over. My tummy felt full and yet empty at the same time. A little while ago, I took to Photoshop to create an image to describe my journey and depict what it felt like to lose a child. This is the image I made late one night when I couldn't sleep. I set up my camera and sat down in front. This is my story. And this is me. It's 7 years ago this month since we heard the devastating words
💖 Sharing my own story through imagery 💖 In 2013, I suffered the devastating loss of my fourth child. I have never felt so alone and so broken in my entire life. For days I carried around my baby while we decided what to do, waiting to see if nature would take over. My tummy felt full and yet empty at the same time. A little while ago, I took to Photoshop to create an image to describe my journey and depict what it felt like to lose a child. This is the image I made late one night when I couldn't sleep. I set up my camera and sat down in front. This is my story. And this is me. It's 7 years ago this month since we heard the devastating words "I'm sorry but your baby doesn't have a heartbeat". And every year at this time, it still bites. I finally had the strength to put this image out there last month, conspicuously entering it into 2 international photography competitions. At the @nzipp_national - the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography Awards, it received a Bronze Award, and this week, it received a Silver award and Third place at the International @international_cosmos_awards. I was blown away with these results! Proud but bittersweet. So now I'm sharing my story and my image with you. So many people come to me for support and photos after loss, and when I tell them I get it, I really do. I've been there. This is me! And I'm one of you <3 #selenarollason #brisbanebirthphotography #pregnancyloss #srcreativedesigns
A DISCARDED DESIGN I recently set up and took this photo for potential use in an assessment. Given the current Covid-19 situation I thought I'd see what I had around the house to put it together. For an hour, I sorted bird seed mix into their respective seeds. Then another hour laying it out until I was happy with the seed placement. I then used food coloring to tone Greek yoghurt and make it look like hand cream. After editing the image in Lightroom and Photoshop, I spent another 2 hours digitally hand drawing the illustrations. Because I don't class myself as a great drawer, the perfectionist in me went back and forwards drawing and erasing until I was somewhat happy with the result. I placed it into the assessment only to discard it a little while later when it didn't fit the style of the work I was doing. I had to laugh at the irony of throwing it out after all the work....And yet I still love it. I've never digital illustrated an image like this before and the fun that I had putting it together combined with the learning curve that it brought makes it worth the effort! #graphicdesign #handdrawn #illustratedphotograph #designsbyselena #billybluebrisbane
A DISCARDED DESIGN I recently set up and took this photo for potential use in an assessment. Given the current Covid-19 situation I thought I'd see what I had around the house to put it together. For an hour, I sorted bird seed mix into their respective seeds. Then another hour laying it out until I was happy with the seed placement. I then used food coloring to tone Greek yoghurt and make it look like hand cream. After editing the image in Lightroom and Photoshop, I spent another 2 hours digitally hand drawing the illustrations. Because I don't class myself as a great drawer, the perfectionist in me went back and forwards drawing and erasing until I was somewhat happy with the result. I placed it into the assessment only to discard it a little while later when it didn't fit the style of the work I was doing. I had to laugh at the irony of throwing it out after all the work....And yet I still love it. I've never digital illustrated an image like this before and the fun that I had putting it together combined with the learning curve that it brought makes it worth the effort! #graphicdesign #handdrawn #illustratedphotograph #designsbyselena #billybluebrisbane
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