Wuilli Wuilli author, Lisa Fuller, is set to release her latest book, 'Washpool'.

Ms Fuller, a lecturer in Indigenous Studies at the University of Canberra, has been active in publishing since 2011, working as a writer, editor, and literary agent.

'Washpool', a middle-grade fantasy novel, began as a personal way for Fuller to connect with her nieces.

Living in Canberra, she was homesick and missing her family in Queensland.

To stay connected, she started writing a story for her two eldest nieces, sending them a chapter at a time with a letter, asking them to write back if they wanted the next installment.

"It spanned years… My sister would read the whole family the next chapter," she said.

"They'd write me back and they'd have ideas about what they wanted to happen.

"But then my job was always kind of surprising and making it fun for them."

The book is set at a local swimming spot, Washpool, in her hometown of Eidsvold, Queensland.

Ms Fuller wanted to nurture her nieces' connection to Country, culture, and community through storytelling.

"There's a whole heap of things in there that I've always wanted to tell my nieces about sticking together, understanding that there's different ways of being strong and brave… it's the stories we learned growing up, where it's really fun or it's a scary story, but if you pay attention, there's something to learn."

As an Indigenous author working in the fantasy genre, Mrs Fuller took deliberate steps to balance cultural responsibility with creative freedom.

"I deliberately took them straight off Country in the story because I wanted to play around and have fun," she said.

"So the girls go straight away—it's a portal fantasy.

"They travel through an important waterhole for us but into a whole different world where there's dragons and firebirds and mermaids."

Mrs Fuller also reflected on the state of the Australian publishing industry and the challenges Indigenous authors continue to face.

"When I first started in publishing, there was a lot wrong," she said.

"Things are getting better, thanks in large part to people like black&write!, who are actively working to make sure you get more Black editors out there and also giving Black writers these beautifully culturally safe spaces."

Despite positive changes, Mrs Fuller noted that Indigenous writers still face additional barriers.

"The editing process is exhausting no matter who you are," she said.

"But when, as a Black writer, the person on the other side of the desk doesn't share your worldview, you have to educate them at the same time as doing all that work on the novel, which is really exhausting."

Ms Fuller is hopeful for the future, as more Indigenous authors are gaining recognition and opportunities.

"Every time I go onto Instagram… there are a whole heap of Black writers I follow, and someone is releasing something," she said.

"There are, I think, three of us releasing books this month.

"It's crazy exciting to see that."

'Washpool' will officially launch on 6 March at The Book Cow in Canberra.

Ms Fuller will be joined by award-winning writer Anthony Eaton for a Q&A session about the novel and her work in the industry.