Jacquie McRae was first published in Huia Short Stories 8 (2009) with her story 'Dream Weaver' and later went on to win a place on the Te Papa Tupu programme set up by the Maori Literature Trust in 2010. As part of the programme, she was mentored by established Maori playwright, novelist and poet Renee, who helped her develop her work. The Scent of Apples is Jaquie's debut novel. Of Tainui descent, Jacqui lives with her husband and children in the Far North of Aotearoa where she continues her creative writing.