[5] In 2018 Rawson was a recipient of the Australia Council grants for arts projects for individuals and groups in the literature category to the value of AU$34,830.

After running out of money, Rawson returned to Melbourne where she became editor of the environment and energy section of a news website, The Conversation.

[7] Rawson has published several essays on environment issues,[8] and in 2003 she and James Whitmore co-authored a book, The Handbook: Surviving and Living with Climate Change.

[1] From the Wreck won the 2017 Aurealis Award for best science fiction novel, and is a fictionalised account of Rawson's great-great-grandfather George Hills, a survivor from the shipwreck of the Australian steamship the SS Admella in 1859.

[3] Rawson said in an interview that despite all the problems associated with being a novelist, she admits to enjoying it: "You're making this magical, beautiful imaginary thing out of absolutely nothing that you could share with other people if you want or you could just do it for the joy of finishing it … It doesn’t hurt anyone.