Beloved Aussie writer John Marsden dies aged 74

Legendary Australian book author John Marsden has died at the age of 74.

Marsden, known for his best-selling Tomorrow book series, won several major awards for children’s and adult fiction – including the Lloyd O’Neil Award for contributions to Australian publishing in 2006.

Marsden wrote more than 40 books across multiple genres but made waves in the young adult category with Tomorrow, When the War Began.

The book followed a hypothetical war in which Australia was invaded and went on to inspire a movie and TV series.

The book and six following additions were praised by Marsden’s publisher, Pan Macmillan Australia, as ‘the best series for Australian teens of all time’. 

Marsden was also well-known in the education community after serving as principal at two schools in regional Victoria.

In 2018, the author recalled his experiences at Candlebark, near Romsey, and Alice Miller, in Macedon. 

‘Running a school is probably the most intense and complicated job I’ve had in my life,’ he told the ABC.

‘The only thing I can compare it to is when I worked in the emergency department at Sydney Hospital when I was about 19.

‘…It’s very important that young people get their hands dirty, both literally and metaphorically … There’s a lot of laughter. There’s a lot of joking. There are a lot of serious conversations, too.’  

Legendary Australian book author John Marsden (pictured) has died at the age of 74

Marsden (pictured) wrote more than 40 books across multiple genres but made waves in the young adult category with Tomorrow, When the War Began

Businessman and activist Simon Holmes à Court shared a tribute to Marsden in a touching post on X, formerly Twitter, shortly after news broke of his passing on Wednesday evening.

‘He was one of the standout teachers through my schooling — in many ways similar to the character of John Keating in Dead Poets Society,’ he wrote.

‘His 1st book So Much to Tell You was based on my year group — many identifiable characters. A gift to our year!

‘Complex man, but I’m so glad to have crossed paths.’