Despite numerous instances of life imitating art throughout the novel, 26-year-old Rudd - who used to work at Brisbane firm Thynne & Macartney - penned the novel prior to Julia Gillard's toppling of her father.

"Last year, my husband was transferred from London to Beijing with his work. At the time, my Mandarin was limited to pets, weather and food, so continuing my ... career didn't feel like a logical next step," she said.

"I decided - with the help of my mum's loving nagging - to write a novel. It was something I'd toyed with in the past, but I never thought I could pull it off."

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And for Rudd, writing about politics seemed like a natural progression.

"An author friend told me to write what I know. Having grown up in a house where federal budget night is almost as exciting as the State of Origin, I've spent most of my life following politics. It excites me," said Rudd.

"Campaign Ruby lets me share that buzz through the eyes of a first-time campaigner and I really wanted to tell this story through the eyes of woman. Ruby Stanhope is a character every woman can relate to. She is as smart as she is accident-prone and totally lovable."