As a child Kim Mann travelled a great deal with her parents, who both came from England as "ten pound Poms". Her family never had much money, but used to save all they could for travel. Kimberley was a "surprise" when her parents were travelling around Australia in a Kombivan. Her brother was born in England, and her sister at Alice Springs. Kimberley completed junior and senior secondary school at Alice Springs, which is where she has lived for the longest period (14 years).
After finishing year 12 in 1989 she studied dance full-time for two years 1990-1, then moved to London to audition and study further. She returned to Australia in 1992, moved to Sydney, and worked with The Sydney Festival Ballet until the end of 1993. In 1994 she moved to Adelaide to attend the University of SA. She has a BA in Professional Writing and Communication and a BA in International and Regional Studies from the University of SA.
She spent a year and a half in the US, including a study exchange to Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY. It was here at the end of 1995 that she met Scott Michalak (at a poetry reading), and they were eventually married in England in 1997. They returned to Australia so Kimberley could complete her degree, settling at Henley Beach, and in 1998 she completed a Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing, winning the Bundey Prize for English Verse. She then embarked on an MA in Creative Writing at the University of Adelaide.
She has read at Boltz Cafe and Friendly Street, Adelaide, and at various venues in Buffalo, NY.
