Jack Henseleit

Author

Jack Henseleit is a children’s author and monster enthusiast who loves writing stories about fairies, pirates, and anything that goes bump in the night. He is the author of seven books for children, including the middle-grade horror series The Witching Hours and the junior fiction series Cross Bones (with illustrator Chris Kennett).

Where were you born?

I was born in Ballarat, Victoria, on a winter’s night in 1991.

What other jobs have you had?

I once worked as a clerical assistant for a healthcare provider, where my duties included creating a register of all the different tins of paint located in all the different sheds and closets around the local hospital. (It would certainly be more fun if I could tell you I was a lion tamer, or a jockey, or a Hollywood stunt double, but unfortunately the paint tin anecdote is the best I can offer.)

What themes are recurring in your work?

I love the pulpy, serialised storytelling of the early 20th century, so my books tend to contain lots of cliffhangers and other big, exciting moments! But, I also love fairy tales very much, so quiet moments of magic and mystery are a favourite of mine as well.

What have been the highlights of your career?

Lately, working with illustrator Chris Kennett on the Cross Bones series has been an absolute delight (although he is a bit of a scallywag).

Where have your works been published?

In Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Spain, Germany, Romania, Denmark, the Netherlands… maybe Brazil? (I’ve never been to the Netherlands, but the Dutch edition of my book The Vampire Knife has a lenticular cover which changes when you move it – it’s super cool!)

What are you passionate about?

Turning “reluctant readers” into “readers.”
Also raspberries, modern board games, Indiana Jones, fairy tales, the Carmen Sandiego video game series, soy hot chocolates, Batman, television quiz shows, and my cat, Teddy.

Haven’t I seen you before?

Gosh, I guess it’s possible – were you that person I saw on Tuesday wearing the neon pink top hat and the disco goldfish shoes? I thought that was you! I was the guy with messy brown hair who was wearing board shorts and Havaianas thongs, even though it was far too cold to be wearing either. Next time, say hello!