Born in Adelaide, South Australia in 1948 Tess currently lives in Clunes, rural Victoria. Tess has studied at the University of Adelaide, Flinders University, Exeter University, UK, and Deakin University. She has an honours degree in Philosophy, a Masters in Educational Linguistics and a Doctorate in Writing.

She has taught Writing at the University of South Australia, Griffith University and Deakin University. With Associate Professor Nigel Krauth she was founding editor of TEXT which she co-edited for 9 years.

Tess has been published in a number of genres including Children's Picture Books, Adult Radio Drama, Self Help Books and Crime Fiction.

Tess is also actively engaged in Snodger Property and Snodger Puzzles. The photo of her was taken 2005 at one of her building sites.