Having failed at becoming a ballerina with pierced ears (her childhood dream), Allison Rushby instead began a writing career as a journalism student at The University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. Within a few months she had slunk sideways into studying Russian. By the end of her degree she had learnt two very important things: that she wasn't going to be a journalist; and that there are hundreds of types of vodka and they're all pretty good.

A number of years spent freelancing for numerous wedding magazines ("Getting on with Your Draconian Mother-in-Law Made Simple!", "A 400 Guest Reception for $2.95 Per Head!") almost sent her crazy. After much whingeing about how hard it would be, she began her first novel. That is, her husband (then boyfriend) told her to shut up, sit down and get typing.

Since then, Allison has had three novels published. Her second book, It's Not You It's Me, was published in North America in May 2004, and in Australia and New Zealand in June 2004 with the Red Dress Ink imprint. Soon after, it was translated into Italian and published in Italy. Following this, Hating Valentine's Day, her second Red Dress Ink book, was published in North America, Australia and New Zealand in February 2005. She has since signed a second two-book contract with the Red Dress Ink imprint. Her third book, The Dairy Queen, will be available in North America in April 2006.

These days Allison writes full time, mostly with her cats, Vi and Flo, purring contentedly on her lap and her baby girl, Ivy, playing quietly with educational toys on the floor (she wishes...). She keeps up her education by sampling new kinds of vodka on a regular basis.