Tobias Madden

Where were you born?

I was born in Ballarat, Victoria, and all three of my YA novels are set there!

What other jobs have you had? 

I worked as a music theatre performer for 10 years, touring Australia and New Zealand with shows like Mary Poppins and Cats. I've also taught dance for students aged 10 and up, all the way through to university age. I'm currently the Digital Marketing Manager at a New York City publishing house.

What themes are recurring in your work? 

My books all feature the performing arts in some way (I couldn't help myself!), but other themes include family, grief, belonging, identity, choices, queerness, friendship, male body image, love (of course), and so much more!

What have been the highlights of your career? 

Some of my career highlights have involved connecting with students and teen readers through events like the Sydney and Melbourne Writers Festival School Days, and other similar teen reading events. It's always incredible to meet the people you're writing for, and teens are such astute readers. The conversations are incredibly motivating and inspiring.

Where have your works been published? 

Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

What are you passionate about? 

Books, literacy, stories (in all their forms), theatre, the arts, LGBTQ+ joy, education, creativity ... the list could go on forever!

Haven’t I seen you before? 

Well, if you saw the 2015-16 tour of Cats, starring Delta Goodrem as Grizabella, you would have seen me dancing the Jellicle Ball and crawling around the stage like a cat!

For more on Tobias, see his website here!