John Marsden (writer)

John Marsden (writer)

John Marsden (born 27 September 1950) is an Australian writer, teacher and school principal. Marsden has had his books translated into ten languages including Swedish, Norwegian, French, German, Dutch, Danish, Italian, Polish and Spanish.

Marsden was born in Victoria, Australia and spent his early life in Kyneton, Victoria, Devonport, Tasmania and Sydney, New South Wales. At age 28, after working several jobs, Marsden began a teaching course. Whilst working as a teacher, Marsden began writing for children, and had his first book, So Much to Tell You, published in 1987. Since then, he has written or edited over 40 books and has sold over 5 million books throughout the world.

In 2006, Marsden started an alternative school, Candlebark School in the Macedon Ranges, in which he is the school principal. Marsden has since reduced his writing to focus on teaching and running the school. He is also the patron of youth media organisation Express Media.