Never one to let life simply take its course, Jay McKee believes you need to
push it around a bit, and shape it to fit yourself if you want to feel comfortable
in it and enjoy it to the full. This philosophy has resulted in a life that so
far has been eventful, colourful and rewarding. The wealth of characters he observed
in a variety of diversions and occupations—teacher, shop assistant, waiter,
factory worker, traveller, actor, director—provides him with a rich palette
from which to draw when it comes to writing.
Jay McKee was President of Playlab for five years and Vice-President of Fellowship
of Australian Writers Queensland (1999-2002, 2004). A tutor in creative writing
at USQ (1995-2004), Jay also writes travel articles and short stories—one
accepted for a European magazine paid enough for a 10-day holiday in the Greek
Islands—and he has also written satirical sketches and songs for stage
and television shows.
He has been involved with theatre and writing for over 40 years. Three of his
youth musicals achieved critical acclaim and still enjoy occasional revivals.
An earlier biography, co-written with Rudi Stiebritz and released in 2002, is
still selling well.
Jay knew Babette as a respected colleague in the theatre, and she directed him
in one play, but he was never a close associate of the star. After working with
the subject for a year, then three years of intensive research, he believes he
knows this dynamic, complex personality much better.
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