Laughter is the Best Ending

Maryam Master is an author, playwright, and screenwriter who loves creating stories for young people.

Her first novel, Exit Through the Gift Shop, was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, the CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers, the ABIA Book of the Year for Younger Children, and the South Australian Children’s Literature Award.

Her second novel, No Words, was the winner of the Children’s Peace Literature Award and the Readings Children’s Prize, and was a CBCA Notable Book for Younger Readers.

Her third novel, Laughter is the Best Ending, is the winner of the CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers 2025, the CBCA Shadow Judging 2025, and the State Library of NSW’s Russell Prize for Humour Writing.

Maryam wrote the acclaimed stage adaptations of David Walliams’ best-selling books Mr Stink, The Midnight Gang, Billionaire Boy, and Ratburger, as well as Oliver Jeffers’ The Incredible Book Eating Boy. All of these premiered at the Sydney Opera House and toured across Australia. She also collaborated with Australian Children’s Laureate Leigh Hobbs on Horrible Harriet: Live on Stage.

She began her career in TV, writing for shows like Home and Away, Blinky Bill, and the Jim Henson Company’s Bambaloo. In 2011, she was selected by Sesame Workshop as the writer for Elmo’s tour of Australia. Most recently, Maryam wrote two episodes of the 10-part BBC audio drama Central Intelligence, starring Kim Cattrall and Ed Harris.

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