John Marsden

John Marsden (born 27 September 1950) is an Australian writer and alternative school principal. Marsden's books have been translated into eleven languages. While 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. Marsden has since reduced his writing to focus on teaching and running the school. In 2016, he opened the arts-focused secondary school, Alice Miller School, also in the Macedon Ranges. Early life Marsden was born in Victoria and spent the first 10 years of his life living in the country towns of Kyneton, Victoria, and Devonport, Tasmania. He is a great-great-great-great nephew of colonial Anglican clergyman and magistrate Rev. Samuel Marsden. When he was 10 years old, Marsden moved to Sydney and attended The King's School, Parramatta. Marsden was accepted into Sydney University to study a double degree in Law and Arts, but eventually dropped out. He has worked at different jobs, including an abattoir, working in a mortuary, delivering pizzas, working as a motorbike courier, working as a nightwatchman, selling encyclopaedias, and working with chickens.