J. R. McRae has written books for children under her married name, Jennifer Poulter. She published junior novels and short stories for children, has had poetry published in Australia and overseas, and has worked as a book, film and music reviewer for a number of journals, including Magpies, the journal of critical review for children's literature. McRae was literary editor of the children's magazine, Tripple Ripple. She also edited four poetry anthologies, with teacher text, for education (KBS).
McRae has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland. Among her early occupations was circus work. She was a qualified librarian and a Senior Reference Librarian at the John Oxley Library before resigning to have a family. On returning to work, she became a full time book reviewer for the Queensland Education Department (in the New School Libraries Section till its closure). She subsequently had numerous roles within the University of Queensland, including working as Personal Assistant to the Head of Journalism & Communication and as a tutor/editor for international students in English Expression.
