So many wonderful authors hail from so many wonderful countries around the world, but for some unknown reason Australia seems to have a particularly high concentration of AMAZING young adult writers. So here’s to you Aussies! Thank you for koalas, the Hemsworth brothers, the phrase “A dingo stole my baby!”, Crocodile Dundee, AC/DC, this guy, kangaroos, and Outback Steakhouse (wait, is that even Australian?)
Oh yeah, and thanks for all of these talented blokes and sheilas:
1. Markus Zusak
From: Sydney
Fun Fact: The Book Thief is published as an adult novel in Australia, not young adult!
Must reads: The Book Thief and I Am the Messenger
2. Melina Marchetta
From: Sydney
Fun Fact: Taught secondary-school English for ten years.
Must reads: Jellicoe Road and Finnikin of the Rock
3. Cath Crowley
From: Melbourne
Fun Fact: Three of her favorite artists are Mark Rothko, Sam Leach and Ghostpatrol.
Must reads: Graffiti Moon and A Little Wanting Song
4. Garth Nix
From: Melbourne
Fun Fact: He was once a part-time soldier in the Australian Army Reserve
Must Reads: Sabriel and A Confusion of Princes
5. John Marsden
From: Victoria
Fun Fact: Knew he wanted to be a writer at age 9.
Must Reads: Tomorrow, When the War Began
6. Jaclyn Moriarty
From: Perth
Fun Fact: Her English thesis was on Roald Dahl.
Must Read: The Year of Secret Assignments
7. Justine Larabalestier
From: Sydney
Fun Fact: She is married to Scott Westerfeld!
Must Reads: Liar and Team Human
8. Sean Williams
From: Whyalla
Fun Fact: He writes books in the Star Wars universe!
Must Reads: Twinmaker
9. Laura Buzo
From: Sydney
Fun Fact: She plays netball. (Whatever that is.)
Must Reads: Good Oil (published as Love and Other Perishable Items in the USA)
10. Craig Silvey
From: Dwellingup
Fun Fact: He is the singer/songwriter for the indie/pop/rock band The Nancy Sikes!
Must Reads: Jasper Jones
11. Alison Goodman
From: Melbourne
Fun Fact: Alison knows Tai-Chi and how to fight with a sword.
Must Reads: Eon: Dragoneye Reborn
12. Margo Lanagan
From: Newcastle
Fun Fact: She was published only in Australia until just recently. Thank goodness!
Must Reads: The Brides of Rollrock Island and Tender Morsels
13. Catherine Jinks
From: Brisbane
Fun Fact: She grew up in Papua New Guinea, where her father worked as a patrol officer.
Must Reads: Evil Genius
14. Lili Wilkinson
From: Melbourne
Fun Fact: She was first published when she was 12, in Voiceworks Magazine.
Must Reads: Pink
15. Isobelle Carmody
From: Victoria
Fun Fact: Began working on the Obernewtyn Chronicles while she was still at high school.
Must Reads: Obernewtyn and Darkfall
16. Alexandra Adornetto
From: Melbourne
Fun Fact: She is only 21 years old!
Must Reads: Halo
17. Kirsty Eagar
From: Queensland
Fun Fact: Studied economics in college.
Must Reads: Raw Blue
Who else would you add to this list of Aussie authors? Want more Australian YA? Check out this list of books set there!
I would add:
Paula Weston – Shadows and Haze
Sue Dawson – You Don’t Even Know
A.J Betts – Zac and Mia
Jessica Davidson – Every thing Left Unsaid
Kate Hendrick – The Accident
Fiona Wood – Six Impossible Things and Wildlife
Melissa Keil – Life in Outer Space
Girl Defective – Simmone Howell
Vikki Wakefild – Friday Brown
Steven Herrick – The Simple Gift
Steph Bowe – Girl Saves Boy, All This Could End
Carole Wilkinson – Stagefright
Ellie Marney – Every Breath
I would add Jessica Shirvington and her Violent Eden chapters 🙂
Trudi Canavan – The Black Magician Trilogy
Jay Kristoff – The Lotus Wars
Rhianon Hart – Blood Song and Blood Storm
I would add Rebecca Lim, author of the Mercy series.
Juliet Marillier – Wildwood Dancing, Cybele’s Secret
Elizabeth Knox – The Dreamhunter Duet (if you’re including New Zealand)
And though it’s not YA in the strictest sense, it did win an Alex award – Max Barry’s “Lexicon” – one of the best books I’ve read this year!
Alice Pung should definitely be on this list