Melina Marchetta’s writing career took off in 1992 when she published her first novel: Looking For Alibrandi. She later turned the story into a film script. The movie Looking for Alibrandi screened in theatres around Australia and the world from 2000.
Melina managed to combine writing with teaching English and History in secondary school for ten years up to 2006, when she committed to writing full-time. During that period, she released two novels, Saving Francesca and On the Jellicoe Road.
Her first fantasy novel, Finnikin of the Rock, was published in 2008. The Piper’s Son (a companion novel to Saving Francesca) was released in 2010. She has written a children’s book, The Gorgon in the Gully, as part of the Puffin Pocket Money series.
Her novels have been published in 17 languages in at least 18 countries. Melina lives in Sydney where she writes full time.
NOVELS AND FILM SCRIPT
2016
Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil, Penguin Australia
2010
The Gorgon in the Gully, Puffin Books, Penguin
The Piper’s Son, Viking Books, Penguin (published in the US by Candlewick)
2008
Finnikin of the Rock, Viking Books, Penguin (published in the US by Candlewick)
2006
On the Jellicoe Road, Viking Books, Penguin (published in the US as Jellicoe Road by Harper Collins)
2003
Saving Francesca, Viking Books, Penguin (published in the US by Knopfs, Random House)
2000
Looking For Alibrandi film script produced by Robyn Kershaw directed Kate Woods
1992
Looking For Alibrandi, Penguin Books (published in the US by Knopfs, Random House)
LITERARY AWARDS AND SHORTLISTS
2017
Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil, shortlisted for Sisters in Crime Davitt Award
2010
The Piper’s Son, shortlisted for Qld Premier’s Award
2009
Jellicoe Road (US) Winner of the US Printz Award
Finnikin of the Rock, Winner of the ABIA Award
Finnikin of the Rock, Winner of the Aurealis Fantasy Award
Finnikin of the Rock, Shortlisted for the CBC Award
Finnikin of the Rock, Shortlisted for the WA Premier’s Literary Awards
2007
On the Jellicoe Road, shortlisted for Qld Premier’s Awards
On the Jellicoe Road, shortlisted for ABIA Awards
2004
Saving Francesca – Winner of the CBC Book of the Year
1993
Looking For Alibrandi – Winner of the CBC Book of the Year
Looking For Alibrandi – Shortlisted for NSW Premier’s Award
SCRIPT AWARDS
Looking For Alibrandi
2000 AFI Best Adapted Script
2000 IF Award Best Adapted Script
2000 NSW Premier’s Award, Best Script
2000 Circle Critics’ Award, Best Adapted Script