Garth Nix Sean Williams

Garth Nix, born in 1963, is an Australian author primarily recognized for his contributions to children's and young adult fantasy literature. His notable series include the Old Kingdom, Seventh Tower, and Keys to the Kingdom. Before dedicating himself to full-time writing, Nix had a varied career that included working in government, publishing, and as a literary agent. He also spent time traveling extensively in Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Nix's name, often questioned for its fantasy-like quality, is his given name. He has also written for role-playing games and in the information technology field. Nix was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2025. He resides in Sydney with his wife, Anna McFarlane, and their sons.

Born in Melbourne and raised in Canberra, Garth Nix received his education at Turner Primary School, Lyneham High School, and Dickson College. During his time at Dickson College, he joined the Australian Army Reserve. Following a period of employment with the Australian government, Nix embarked on travels through Europe. Upon his return to Australia in 1983, he pursued a BA in professional writing at the University of Canberra. His early professional life after graduation included working in a Canberra bookshop before he relocated to Sydney in 1987. In Sydney, Nix progressed through various roles in the publishing industry, including sales representative and publicist, eventually reaching the position of senior editor at HarperCollins. His career also involved further international travel in Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe, leading him to establish his own marketing consultancy firm, Gotley Nix Evans Pty Ltd. From 1999 to 2002, he worked as a literary agent before transitioning to a full-time writing career.

Garth Nix is widely celebrated for his fantasy novels, particularly those aimed at young adults. His most recognized works include the expansive Old Kingdom series, the Seventh Tower series, and the Keys to the Kingdom series. Beyond his novelistic achievements, Nix has also contributed to the realm of role-playing games, creating scenarios and articles for systems such as Dungeons & Dragons and Traveller, which appeared in publications like White Dwarf and Breakout!. His writing has also extended into the information technology sector, with articles published in Computerworld and PC World. Nix's bibliography features a range of picture books, young adult and children's novels, short fiction, and collections, demonstrating a breadth of creative output across different age groups and formats. He has also co-authored several works with Sean Williams.

Nix's literary output is marked by several prominent series, including the Old Kingdom saga, which began with 'Sabriel' in 1995 and has continued with multiple installments and related short fiction. The Seventh Tower series, comprising six books, and the Keys to the Kingdom series, with seven titles, are also significant parts of his young adult fiction. In recent years, he has also explored new series such as 'The Left-Handed Booksellers of London'. His short fiction has been collected in various volumes, including 'Across the Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories' and 'To Hold the Bridge', showcasing his ability to craft compelling narratives in shorter forms. His work for adults, such as the Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz stories, also demonstrates his versatility.

“I guess people ask me because it sounds like the perfect name for a writer of fantasy. However, it is my real name.”