"Unreal" is the word CQU graduate Heather Morrison used to describe her feelings when opening the box at the post office to find her first ever published book.

"I started crying before I even opened the box because I knew what was inside," Heather says.

Proud graduate Heather Morrison is also a proud author

The published children's book titled Emily's Fathers Day Present tells the story of a young girl's search for the perfect father's day gift.

From a young age Heather always wanted to be a doctor and originally enrolled in Biomedical Science at CQU.

"Over the next couple of years I changed my direction 4 times," says Heather.

Heather has been writing since she was 9 and decided that she would choose a literature elective.

"Exploration in Gothic made me take writing more seriously and so I changed my degree to a Diploma of Arts (Literature). I knew this was something that would stick with me for life," she said.

Heather's journey was not without its struggles.

Proud graduate Heather Morrison is also a proud author

"Everything that could have possibly gone wrong over the 5 years I was studying went wrong. My mum got very sick and we moved to Maryborough. If it wasn't for the flexibility of CQU - being able to study externally - I don't think I would have ever finished my course. I liked CQU and I didn't want to change universities," she said.

Heather will soon release her second published book for young adults titled The Castle of Aureem the Heir, which she describes as "Harry Potter meets Lord of the Rings".

Heather attributes her success to her time at CQU.

"Every subject at CQU has helped me write at least one of my 15 books," Heather says.

The book will be released through American company Lulu Publishing later this year and will be available worldwide on the company website.

Heather is just one of the CQU students graduating this Thursday, May 1, at the Moncrieff Theatre, with the ceremony commencing at 6pm. Companion of Uni for former Bundaberg Mayor