Jeremy Lachlan

Author

Jeremy Lachlan is a best-selling, award-winning author based in Sydney, NSW. His life-long obsession with adventure (and a trip to the Cairo Museum) inspired him to create The Jane Doe Chronicles, an epic action-adventure/fantasy series about a dangerous, infinite labyrinth between worlds and the girl destined to rule it. An experienced, energetic, inspiring and down-to-earth speaker, Jeremy loves nothing more than sharing his passion for story with readers of all ages.

Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds (2018)

Jane Doe and the Key of All Souls (2020)

Jane Doe and the Quill of All Tales (2023)

Where were you born?

I was born on Wiradjuri country, in a town called Griffith, NSW. Wide streets, big skies, an abandoned quarry out the back for many a childhood adventure. It was heaven.

What other jobs have you had?

When my books were first picked up by my publisher, I was working as a bookseller at a local independent bookstore in Sydney. Prior to that, I’ve been the world’s worst receptionist at a web development company down in Melbourne, a retail assistant at David Jones over in Perth, a screenwriting tutor at the University of Canberra, and – as a kid – a farm-hand on my dad’s grape vineyard out in Griffith. I’ve been lucky enough to be a full-time writer for the past five years now.

What themes are recurring in your work?

Some people may assume action-adventure/fantasy novels offer nothing but escapism and entertainment (not that there’s anything wrong with that) but it simply isn’t true. Popular, genre-based storytelling offers such a wonderful, unique opportunity to explore real issues in an accessible form.

Themes of self-discovery, grief, loss and the passing on of pain (I sat down to start writing my first book while I was a carer for my father, just as Jane is a carer for hers in the series), acceptance, prejudice, and gender role reversals in a traditionally leading-male-dominated genre pepper my work.

What have been the highlights of your career?

Winning the Australian Book Industry Award (ABIA) for Book of the Year for Older Children in 2019 was a highlight for sure. Not to sound too cheesy, but the biggest highlights so far have been my readers and fans reaching out – either in person, online or via the post – to tell me they’ve loved and been inspired by my books. I wrote my books as a cross-over series – for kids, teens and adults – and the fact that I hear from seven-year-olds and seventy-plus-year-olds still blows my mind to this day.

Where have your works been published?

I’ve been fortunate enough to have my books published in over 15 countries around the world and translated into nine languages so far, including Dutch, German, Portuguese, Italian and Spanish. Alas, I speak none of them.

What are you passionate about?

Everything, really. Honestly, I’ve been known to lose my mind over a decent sandwich, sunset or cool dog I pass on the street. A born nerd, I’ve been devouring books, movies and TV shows since I was a kid, and simply adore sharing my passion for them with kids and teens (not to mention adults who enjoy a fun read). I’m obsessed with action-adventure in particular, and have always had a knack for plotting big, epic tales. To put it simply, I’m a story-geek. And proud!

As a gay man, I’m a champion for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, particularly in children’s publishing. I believe every child deserves the right to see themselves represented on the page and screen – to feel seen and heard – and consider it a great honour to be one of many important voices on the frontline, sharing progressive, exciting stories with the world.

I’m also a big advocate for open conversations around mental health and anxiety, something more and more people – adults and children – have had to deal with and navigate their way through since the pandemic began. Over the years, I’ve come to realise that, much like grief, anxiety is something we learn to live with, not overcome and vanquish once and for all.

Haven’t I seen you before?

Hmm, perhaps?? But probably not. I’ve appeared at the Sydney Writer’s Festival on multiple occasions, and several other writer’s festivals around the country since my first book hit shelves in 2018.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?

Just that I hope you have a fantastic day, folks. Thanks so much for your time.

Testimonials