[2] Ashley was born 1973 in Christchurch, New Zealand[3] and arrived in Australia aged eight.
[4] She was the assistant director of Subverse: Queensland Poetry Festival from 1999–2001.
Ashley's interest in birds motivated her 2016 historical novel, The Birdman's Wife, about Elizabeth Gould, the English illustrator who drew specimens collected by her husband, John Gould, for his books on birds.
[4] Ashley wrote the novel as part of her PhD, whilst studying at the University of Queensland.
[5] The Bee and the Orange Tree was shortlisted for the 2020 Davitt Award for best debut crime book.