John Marsden was an acclaimed Australian writer, who authored over 40 books throughout his distinguished career. He is particularly renowned for his young adult novel, Tomorrow, When the War Began, which was the first in a series of seven books. His works have been translated into eleven languages, captivating readers worldwide.

While working as a teacher, Marsden began writing for children, publishing his first book, So Much to Tell You, in 1987. His literary journey was paralleled by his passion for education, which led him to open an alternative school, Candlebark School, in 2006 in the Macedon Ranges. In 2016, he furthered his educational endeavors by establishing the Alice Miller School, a secondary school focused on the arts.

By choosing to focus more on teaching and the operation of his schools in his later years, he significantly limited his writing activities. Besides his educational commitments, Marsden actively supported youth media, serving as a patron for the organization Express Media.