Garth Richard Nix (born 19 July 1963) is an Australian writer who specialises in children's and young adult

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy literature and d ...

novels, notably the '' Old Kingdom'', '' Seventh Tower'' and '' Keys to the Kingdom'' series. He has frequently been asked if his name is a pseudonym, to which he has responded, "I guess people ask me because it sounds like the perfect name for a writer of fantasy. However, it is my real name."

Biography

Born in Melbourne, Nix was raised in Canberra. He attended Turner Primary School, Lyneham High School and

Dickson College Dickson College is a public two-year secondary college located in the Canberra suburb of Dickson, Australian Capital Territory. It was established in 1976 on the former Dickson High School campus when it closed. It was set to close after bein ...

for schooling. While at Dickson College, Nix joined the Australian Army Reserve. After a period working for the Australian government, he traveled in Europe before returning to Australia in 1983 and undertaking a BA in professional writing at Canberra University. He worked in a Canberra bookshop after graduation, before moving to Sydney in 1987, where he worked his way up in the publishing field. He was a sales rep and publicist before becoming a senior editor at

HarperCollins HarperCollins Publishers LLC is one of the Big Five English-language publishing companies, alongside Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, and Macmillan. The company is headquartered in New York City and is a subsidiary of News ...

. In 1993 he commenced further travel in Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe before becoming a marketing consultant, founding his own company, Gotley Nix Evans Pty Ltd. From 1999 to 2002 he worked as a literary agent with Curtis Brown (Australia) Pty Ltd before becoming a full-time author. In addition to his work as a fantasy novelist, Nix has written a number of scenarios and articles for the role playing field, including those for ''

Dungeons & Dragons ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (commonly abbreviated as ''D&D'' or ''DnD'') is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game (RPG) originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. The game was first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. (TS ...

'' and '' Traveller''. These have appeared in related publications such as ''

White Dwarf A white dwarf is a stellar core remnant composed mostly of electron-degenerate matter. A white dwarf is very dense: its mass is comparable to the Sun's, while its volume is comparable to the Earth's. A white dwarf's faint luminosity comes ...

'', '' Multiverse'' and '' Breakout!''. He has also written case studies, articles and news items in the information technology field, his work appearing in publications such as '' Computerworld'' and ''

PCWorld ''PC World'' (stylized as PCWorld) is a global computer magazine published monthly by IDG. Since 2013, it has been an online only publication. It offers advice on various aspects of PCs and related items, the Internet, and other personal tech ...

''. Nix currently lives in Sydney with his wife Anna McFarlane, a publisher, and their sons Thomas and Edward.

Bibliography

Very Clever Baby

The series was self-published and republished by Text Media in Melbourne. Described as books for "Very Clever Babies Aged 3–6 Months", they contain such words as ichthyologist, as used by the character Freddy the Fish. * ''Very Clever Baby's First Reader'' (1988) * ''Very Clever Baby's Ben Hur'' (1988) * ''Very Clever Baby's Guide to the Greenhouse Effect'' (1992) * ''Very Clever Baby's First Christmas'' (1998)

Young adult and children's literature

''The Old Kingdom''

=Novels

= * ''

Sabriel ''Sabriel'' is a fantasy novel by Garth Nix, first published in 1995. It is the first in his Old Kingdom series, followed by '' Lirael'', '' Abhorsen'', '' Clariel'', '' Goldenhand,'' and ''Terciel and Elinor''. Plot introduction The novel is ...

'' (1995) * '' Lirael'' (2001) * '' Abhorsen'' (2003) * ''

Clariel The Old Kingdom, or Abhorsen in North America, is a fantasy series written by Australian author Garth Nix. It originated in 1995 with the novel ''Sabriel'' and has continued in the novels '' Lirael'' (2001), '' Abhorsen'' (2003) and ''Goldenhand ...

'' (2014) * '' Goldenhand'' (2016) * '' Terciel and Elinor'' (2021)

=Short fiction

= * "Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case" (2005). A novella produced for

World Book Day World Book Day, also known as World Book and Copyright Day or International Day of the Book, is an annual event organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote reading, publishing, and co ...

and originally entitled "The Creature in the Cave". Reprinted under the new title in the collection '' Across the Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories''.) * "The Nine Gates of Death: An Extract of the Journal of Idrach the Lesser Necromancer" (2009). A short story released on oldkingdom.com.au * "An Essay on Free Magic". Short text released on the Old Kingdom website. * "To Hold the Bridge". A novella original published in the ''Legends of Australian Fantasy'' anthology edited by Jack Dann and Jonathan Strahan. Reprinted in the collection ''To Hold the Bridge''. * "Doctor Crake Crosses the Wall". Short story included in the Australian edition of Goldenhand, also published on the official Australian Old Kingdom website.

=Omnibus

= * ''The Old Kingdom Chronicles'' (''The Abhorsen Chronicles'' in the United States) (2009). This contained the first three Abhorsen books and "The Creature in the Case".

The Seventh Tower

# '' The Fall'' (2000) # '' Castle'' (2000) # '' Aenir'' (2001) # ''

Above the Veil ''Above the Veil'' is the fourth children's book in Garth Nix's ''The Seventh Tower ''The Seventh Tower'' is a series of six books written by Garth Nix, the result of a joint partnership between Scholastic and LucasFilm. The series follows ...

'' (2001) # '' Into Battle'' (2001) # ''

The Violet Keystone ''The Violet Keystone'' is the sixth and last book in Garth Nix's The Seventh Tower ''The Seventh Tower'' is a series of six books written by Garth Nix, the result of a joint partnership between Scholastic and LucasFilm. The series follows ...

'' (2001)

The Keys to the Kingdom

# ''

Mister Monday ''Mister Monday'' is the first novel in the series ''The Keys to the Kingdom'' by Garth Nix. It follows Arthur Penhaligon, a twelve-year-old boy who discovers that he is the heir to an otherworldly House and must fulfil a mysterious Will in order ...

'' (2003) # '' Grim Tuesday'' (2004) # '' Drowned Wednesday'' (2005) # ''

Sir Thursday ''Sir Thursday'' is a young adult fantasy novel written by Australian author Garth Nix. It is the fourth book in the series ''The Keys to the Kingdom'', and was released in March 2006. ''Sir Thursday'' continues from the preceding book, follow ...

'' (2006) # '' Lady Friday'' (2007) # '' Superior Saturday'' (2008) # '' Lord Sunday'' (2010)

The Left-Handed Booksellers of London

# ''The Left-Handed Booksellers of London'' (2020) # ''The Sinister Booksellers of Bath'' (2023)

Troubletwisters (co-written with Sean Williams)

# ''Troubletwisters'' (2011) # ''The Monster'' (2012) # ''The Mystery'' (2013) # ''The Missing'' (2014)

Have Sword, Will Travel (co-written with Sean Williams)

# ''Have Sword, Will Travel'' (2017) # ''Let Sleeping Dragons Lie'' (2018)

Works in multi-author series

Spirit Animals

* ''Spirit Animals Book 3: Blood Ties'' (2014, with Sean Williams)

''Aussie Bites''

* ''Serena and the Sea Serpent'' (2000), part of ''Aussie Bites'' series

''The X-Files'' (young adult series)

* ''The Calusari'' (1997), an adaptation of the ''X-Files'' episode of the same name

Standalone novels

* '' The Ragwitch'' (1990), a children's fantasy novel * '' Shade's Children'' (1997) * '' A Confusion of Princes'' (2012), a young adult space opera novel * ''Newt's Emerald'' (2015), a fantasy romance * ''Frogkisser!'' (2017), a children's fantasy novel * ''Angel Mage'' (2019), a young adult fantasy sci-fi novel

Works for adults

Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz

# 2007 " Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz Go to War Again", in ''Jim Baen's Universe'' # 2008 "Beyond the Sea Gate of the Scholar-Pirates of Sarsköe", in ''Fast Ships, Black Sails'' edited by Jeff Vandermeer and

Ann Vandermeer Ann VanderMeer (née Kennedy) is an American publisher and editor, and the second female editor of the horror magazine '' Weird Tales''. She is the founder of Buzzcity Press. Work from her press and related periodicals has won the British Fantas ...

# 2010 "A Suitable Present for a Sorcerous Puppet", in ''Swords and Dark Magic'', edited by Lou Anders and

Jonathan Strahan Jonathan Strahan (born 1964, Belfast, Northern Ireland) is an editor and publisher of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. His family moved to Perth, Western Australia in 1968, and he graduated from the University of Western Australia with a ...

# 2013 "Losing Her Divinity", in ''Rags & Bones: New Twists on Timeless Tales'', edited by Melissa Marr and Tim Pratt # 2014 "A Cargo of Ivories", in '' Rogues'', edited by

George R. R. Martin George Raymond Richard Martin (born George Raymond Martin; September 20, 1948), also known as GRRM, is an American novelist, screenwriter, television producer and short story writer. He is the author of the series of epic fantasy novels ''A Song ...

and

Gardner Dozois Gardner Raymond Dozois ( ; July 23, 1947 – May 27, 2018) was an American science fiction author and editor. He was the founding editor of ''The Year's Best Science Fiction'' anthologies (1984–2018) and was editor of '' Asimov's Science Fictio ...

# 2014 "Home is the Haunter", in ''Fearsome Magics'', edited by

# 2017 "A Long, Cold Trail", in ''The Book of Swords'', edited by

# 2020 "Cut me Another Quill, Mister Fitz", in ''The Book of Dragons'' , edited by

* The first three stories are collected in ''Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz: Three Adventures'' (2011).

Short fiction

Collections

* 2007 ''One Beastly Beast: Two Aliens, Three Inventors, Four Fantastic Tales'' - a book of short stories for younger readers ** "Serena and the Sea" ** "Bill the Inventor" ** "Blackbread the Pirate" ** "The Princess and the Beastly Beast" * 2005 '' Across the Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories'' ** 2005 "Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case" (published for World Book Day) ** 2001 "Under the Lake" (from ''The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction'') ** 2005 "Charlie Rabbit" (from ''Kids' Night In'' collected for War Child) ** 1996 "From the Lighthouse" (from ''Fantastic Worlds'' anthology edited by Paul Collins) ** 2001 "The Hill" (from ''X-Changes: Stories for a New Century'') ** 2001 "Lightning Bringer" (from ''Love & Sex'' anthology edited by

Michael Cart Michael Cart, born on March 6, 1941 in Logansport, Indiana, United States is an author and expert in Children's literature, children's and Young adult fiction, young adult literature. He earned a degree in Library science, Library Science from Colu ...

) ** 1987 "Down to the Scum Quarter" (from''Myths and Legends'', reprinted in''Breakout!'' magazine in 1988) ** 2002 "Heart's Desire" (from ''The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction'') ** 2000 "Hansel's Eyes" (from ''A Wolf at the Door'' anthology edited by

Ellen Datlow Ellen Datlow (born December 31, 1949) is an American science fiction, fantasy, and horror editor and anthologist. She is a winner of the World Fantasy Award and the Bram Stoker Award (Horror Writers Association). Career Datlow began her career ...

and Terri Windling) ** 2003 "Hope Chest" (from ''Firebirds'' anthology edited by Sharyn November) ** 1999 "My New Really Epic Fantasy Series" (from Swancon Program Book) ** 2000 "Three Roses" (from ''Eidolon'' magazine, Autumn 2000) ** 2004 "Endings" (from ''Gothic! Ten Original Dark Tales'' anthology edited by Deborah Noyes) * 2015 ''To Hold the Bridge'' ** 2010 "To Hold the Bridge: An Old Kingdom Story" (from''Legends of Australian Fantasy'' anthology, edited by Jack Dann and

) ** 2011 "Vampire Weather" (from ''Teeth'' anthology, edited by

and Terri Windling) ** 2008 "Strange Fishing in the Western Highlands" (from ''Hellboy: Oddest Jobs'', edited by Christopher Golden_ ** 2008 "Old Friends" (from ''Dreaming Again'' anthology, edited by Jack Dann) ** 2011 "The Quiet Knight" (from ''Geektastic'' anthology edited by

Holly Black Holly Black (''née'' Riggenbach; born November 10, 1971) is an American writer and editor best known for her children's and young adult fiction. Her most recent work is the ''New York Times'' bestselling young adult ''Folk of the Air'' series. ...

and

Cecil Castellucci Cecil C. Castellucci (born October 25, 1969 in New York City), also known as Cecil Seaskull, is an American-born Canadian young adult novelist, indie rocker, and director. She currently lives in Los Angeles, California. Biography Castellucci gre ...

) ** 2012 "You Won't Feel a Thing" (from ''After'' anthology edited by

and Terri Windling) ** 2012 "A Handful of Ashes" (from ''Under My Hat'' anthology, edited by

) ** 2012 "The Big Question" (from ''Elsewhere'', Edinburgh Festival Special) ** 2009 "Stop!" (from ''The Dragon Book'' anthology edited by Jack Dann and

) ** 2008 "Infestation" (from ''The Starry Rift'' anthology edited by

) ** 2011 "The Heart of the City" (from ''Subterranean Online'' magazine) ** "Ambrose and the Ancient Spirits of East and West" (from ''The Thackery T. Lambshead Cabinet of Curiosities'' anthology edited by

and Jeff Vandermeer) ** 2007 "Holly and Iron" (from ''Wizards'' anthology, edited by Jack Dann and

) ** 2011 "The Curious Case of the Moondawn Daffodils Murder: As Experienced by Sir Magnus Holmes and Almost-Doctor Susan Shrike" (from ''Ghosts by Gaslight'' anthology edited by Jack Dann and Nick Gevers) ** 2009 "An Unwelcome Guest" (from ''Troll's-Eye View'' anthology edited by

and Terri Windling) ** 2010 "The Highest Justice" (from ''Zombies vs. Unicorns'' anthology edited by

and

Justine Larbalestier Justine Larbalestier ( )' (born 23 September 1967) is an Australian writer of young adult fiction best known for her 2009 novel, '' Liar''. Personal life Larbalestier was born and raised in Sydney. She now alternates residence between Sydney ...

) ** 2012 "Master Haddad's Holiday" (a bonus story from the Australian printing of ''A Confusion of Princes'') ** 2012 "Sidekick of Mars" (originally from the ''Under the Moons of Mars'' anthology edited by

John Joseph Adams John Joseph Adams (born 1976) is an American science fiction and fantasy editor, critic, and publisher. Career Editor Adams worked as Assistant Editor at ''The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction'' from May 2001 to December 2009. In January 20 ...

) ** 2011 "Peace in Our Time" (originally from the ''Steampunk!'' anthology edited by Kelly Link and Gavin J. Grant) * 2011 ''Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz: Three Adventures'' ** 2007 "Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz Go To War Again" (from ''Jim Baen's Universe'') ** 2008 "Beyond the Sea Gate of the Scholar-Pirates of Sarsköe" (from ''Fast Ships, Black Sails'' anthology edited by Jeff and

) ** 2010 "'A Suitable Present for a Sorcerous Puppet'" (from '' Swords and Dark Magic'' anthology edited by Lou Anders and

)

Uncollected stories

* 1984 "Sam, Cars and the Cuckoo" in ''

Warlock A warlock is a male practitioner of witchcraft. Etymology and terminology The most commonly accepted etymology derives '' warlock'' from the Old English '' wǣrloga'', which meant "breaker of oaths" or "deceiver" and was given special applicati ...

'' magazine no. 2 * 1996 "The Kind Old Sun Will Know" first published in ''Eidolon'' magazine * 2005 "Read It in the Headlines!" in '' Daikaiju! Giant Monster Tales'', edited by Robert Hood and Robin Pen * 2006 "Dog Soldier" first published in ''Jim Baen's Universe'', 2006 * 2007 "Bad Luck, Trouble, Death and Vampire Sex" first published in ''Eclipse'', edited by

* 2009 "The Nine Gates of Death: An Extract of the Journal of Idrach the Lesser Necromancer" – first published on oldkingdom.com.au * 2010 "The Highest Justice" in ''Zombies vs. Unicorns'', edited by

and

* 2013 "Crossing the Line" first published in ''Fearie Tales'', edited by Stephen Jones * 2013 "Fire Above, Fire Below" first published by Tor.com * 2014 "Shay Corsham Worsted" first published in ''Fearful Symmetries'', edited by

* 2014 "Happy Go Lucky" first published in ''Kaleidoscope'', edited by Alisa Krasnostein and Julia Rios * 2015 "By Frogsled and Lizardback to Outcast Venusian Lepers" in ''

Old Venus ''Old Venus'' is a "retro Venus science fiction"-themed anthology edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, that was published on March 3, 2015. All of the stories are set on the planet Venus as styled in the pre-space probe pulp magazin ...

'', edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois * 2019 "Dislocation Space" first published by Tor.com * 2020 "The Case of the Somewhat Mythic Sword" first published by Tor.com * 2020 "The Necessary Arthur" first published by Tor.com