John Marsden (writer)

Infobox Writer


imagesize = 150px
name = John Marsden
caption = [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page If so click here]
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birthdate = birth date and age|1950|9|27|df=y
birthplace = Victoria, Australia
deathdate =
deathplace =
occupation = Writer
nationality = Australian
period = 1987-present
genre = Young adult fiction
subject =
movement =
influences =
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website = http://www.johnmarsden.com/home.html

John Marsden (born 27 September, 1950) is an Australian writer.

Biography

John Marsden was born in Victoria, in 1950, the third of four children. He spent much of his childhood in rural Australia, moving first to Kyneton in Victoria, then to Devonport in Tasmania.

At the age of ten, Marsden's family moved to Sydney and he enrolled at The King's School, Parramatta, which was renowned for its overbearing military style of education. Upon completion of his high schooling, Marsden began a Law/Arts degree at the University of Sydney, and worked at a mortuary, in a sideshow and as a security guard, before finally becoming an English teacher.

He taught for nine years at Geelong Grammar School, and became Head of English at the school's Timbertop campus. In 1982, he was arrested while on the blockade attempting to stop construction of the Franklin Dam. As all the prisons in the region were full due to the number of people arrested, Marsden was placed in the high-security Risdon Prison for a night. He later wrote that he used the experience to help him write scenes in "Letters From The Inside" and parts of the "Tomorrow" series.

His first book, "So Much To Tell You" was published in 1987. This was followed by "Take My Word For It," a half-sequel written from the point of view of another character. His landmark Tomorrow series is recognised as the most popular book series for young adults ever written in Australia. The first book of this series, "Tomorrow When The War Began", has been reprinted 26 times in Australia. The first sequel of a new series of books featuring Ellie Linton from the Tomorrow series (The Ellie Chronicles) was published in 2003, with the second novel and third novels released in November 2005 and November 2006 respectively.

Marsden's current project is making an alternative setting school on his bush property, the "Tye Estate" near Romsey, Victoria [ [http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2005/s1317970.htm 7.30 Report - 07/03/2005: Childrens author John Marsden to build perfect school] ] . The school, named "Candlebark", opened on 31 January, 2006 with 52 students ranging from Prep (5 years old) to Year 7 [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/education-news/the-school-that-john-built/2006/02/03/1138958909988.html The school that John built - Education News - theage.com.au] ] . In 2008 the school has 100 students ranging from Prep to Year 9.

Marsden currently holds writers conferences and writers weekends, both for people with completed scripts and for teenagers wishing to learn to write. He personally takes the workshops and mixes his writing skills with drama and his ability as an English teacher.

Published works

* "So Much To Tell You" (1987)
* "The Great Gatenby" (1989)
* "The Journey"
* "Staying Alive In Year 5"
* "Out Of Time" (1990)
* "Letters From The Inside" (1991)
* "Take My Word For It" (1992)
* "Looking For Trouble" (1993)
* "Everything I Know About Writing" (1993)
* "Cool School" (1996)
* "Creep Street" (1996)
* "Checkers" (1996)
* "This I Believe" (1996) (editor)
* "For Weddings and a Funeral" (1996) (editor)
* "Dear Miffy" (1997)
* "Secret Men's Business" (1998)
* "Winter" (2000)
* "The Rabbits
* "Hamlet"

=The Tomorrow series=

* "Tomorrow, When the War Began" (1994)
* "The Dead Of The Night" (1994)
* "The Third Day, The Frost" (1995)
* "Darkness, Be My Friend" (1996)
* "Burning For Revenge" (1997)
* "The Night Is For Hunting" (1998)
* "The Other Side Of Dawn" (1999)

The Ellie Chronicles"Ellie Chronicles" is a follow up series to the "Tomorrow" series:
* While I live(2003)
* "Incurable" (2005)
* "Circle of Flight" (2006)"'

References

Picture reference: [http://www.abc.net.au/victoria/stories/s1380373.htm ABC broadcasting]

External links

* [http://www.johnmarsden.com.au John Marsden's homepage]
* [http://www.candlebark.info/ Candlebark school]