Ken Spillman studied literature, media and history at university and is a prolific author, editor and critic. He began as a poet, made a living for many years as a non-fiction writer, and has written fiction for both adults and children. Based in Australia, he has won a number of major literary awards including a FAW National Literary Award, a Wilderness Society Literature Award and the Western Australian Premier’s Book Award (twice). His work is represented in many anthologies, and the major US reference work Contemporary Authors has published a detailed entry on his career. Ken’s illustrated Jake series for young readers now appears in more than a 15 countries, with translations into such diverse languages as French, Farsi, Serbian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese. Over the past 4 years, Ken’s lively sessions have entertained more than 80,000 children through a hectic schedule of school visits in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, Philippines and Singapore. His love for India is reflected in his frequent visits and the fact that a number of his books have Indian characters and settings. Well-known as an advocate for writing and writers in Asia-Oceania, he has chaired the judging panel for Singapore’s inaugural award for children’s books and is an active member of the board of advisers to the Asian Festival of Children’s Content. In 2013, he was named a finalist in two categories of the Australian Arts in Asia Awards, a showcase for best practice arts and engagement in Asia. For further information, visit www.kenspillman.com.
