“The action thriller genre is often overlooked when it comes to YA literature… Jack Heath is almost single-handedly doing something to redress this imbalance.”
—Darren Hartwell, The Book Zone
Jack Heath is the author of six action books for teens. He started writing his first novel when he was 13 years old and had a publishing contract for it at 18. The book has since been adapted into a screenplay. Jack’s second novel was shortlisted for sci-fi book of the year at the 2007 Aurealis Awards, and in 2009 he was named ACT Young Australian of the Year.
Each of his books can be enjoyed as a stand-alone, but they can also be categorised into two series:
THE LAB is about a genetically engineered teenage superhero, fighting an omnipotent corporation in a polluted metropolis. It is followed by REMOTE CONTROL and then THIRD TRANSMISSION.
MONEY RUN is about a teenage thief who outwits ruthless assassins and corrupt cops alike in her search for the score of a lifetime. It is followed by HIT LIST.
In the course of his research, Jack has visited Texas and Russia, gone scuba diving with sharks, done a dangerous driving course, trained with firearms alongside professional stuntmen, and deducted it all on his tax return.
He has appeared on Today Tonight, Pyramid, Sunrise, Stateline, The Shak, Kids WB, State Focus and various other television programs.
At age 23 he was invited to teach creative writing at the Canberra Institute of Technology, and he was featured in the Australian Pavilion of the Shanghai World Expo. He also spent a year reading only books by women.
Now 25, he’s working on his seventh action book and compiling a list of every book he’s ever read.
When he’s not reading or writing books for teens, Jack is performing street magic, composing film music, teaching or lecturing at schools and festivals, or playing a variety of instruments including the piano and the bass guitar. He stoically ignores his lack of qualifications or training in any of these areas.
Jack was born in Sydney in 1986, but has resided in Canberra since age 9. He didn’t intend to end up there, but he’s afraid of big cities, small towns, places where no-one speaks English, and places where he doesn’t know anyone – so every passing day makes it harder to leave. He lives with his wife, Venetia Major (owner of the contemporary Australian jewellery company Zoisite Designs).
In 2008, Jack’s books were the subject of four mini-documentaries by Broken Bush Films, entitled The Jack Heath Chronicles.
“In my opinion, he is one of Australia’s most interesting young writers.”
—Tara Moss, bestselling author of Siren and winner of two Selwa Anthony Sassy Awards (Best Novel and Ongoing Success.)“All adrenaline junkies will love his turbo-powered writing.”
—Megan Larkin, former Usborne Fiction Director“One of the biggest Australian names in slam-dunk thrillers.”
—Rosemary Sorensen, The Australian.“A great writer and an inspiration for other young writers.”
–Anne-Maree Britton, Director of the ACT Writers’ Centre“The best books I’ve ever read.”
–Michael Darveniza
