Celebrated Australian writer John Marsden, whose literary career spanned decades and touched the lives of countless readers, has sadly passed away at the age of 74.
The acclaimed author penned over 40 books during his remarkable career, with his most iconic work being the Tomorrow series. The series, which sold millions of copies worldwide, was later adapted into both a feature film and a television series, cementing its status as a global phenomenon.
Born September 27, 1950, Marsden’s writing journey began during his time as an English teacher at Geelong Grammar School’s Timbertop campus, where he became determined to engage teenagers in reading after noticing their growing lack of interest. This drive led to the creation of So Much to Tell You, written in just three weeks and published in 1987. The book became a massive success, winning multiple awards, including the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s (CBCA) Book of the Year.
In the years following, Marsden published a string of successful books, including Out of Time, Letters From the Inside, and Take My Word For It, which earned critical acclaim and recognition from the CBCA. However, it was his 1993 novel Tomorrow, When the War Began that solidified his place in Australian literary history. The first book in the Tomorrow series, it became Marsden’s most famous and best-selling work. The series grew to include seven books, as well as the Ellie Chronicles, a follow-up trilogy.
Beyond the Tomorrow series, Marsden was a versatile writer, producing picture books such as The Rabbits, poetry, and non-fiction works, while also editing This I Believe. He also wrote Everything I Know About Writing and Secret Men’s Business, further cementing his broad literary influence.
In 2006, Marsden shifted his focus to education, founding the Candlebark School, which served students from Kindergarten to Year 12. He later opened Alice Miller School in 2016, an arts-focused secondary school.
As news of Marsden’s passing broke, fans across the nation came together to honour the “fabulous” writer and reflect on his remarkable legacy.
Marsden is survived by his wife Kristin and six stepsons.