Dr Ken Spillman has been writing for publication since his schooldays. His writing includes the acclaimed Young Adult novels, Love is a UFO and Blue, as well as the Jake series for younger readers, which commenced with Jake’s Gigantic List and continued with Jake’s Monster Mess and Jake’s Balloon Blast.
Previously, Ken teamed with Jon Doust to create the popular Serventy Kids books for primary school children. His other published work includes poetry, history books, essays, reviews, and sports and travel writing.
Ken has edited or co-edited five collections of writing, including The Greatest Game and Fathers in Writing. He is an examiner for doctoral and masters degrees, and has assessed manuscripts for three Australian publishers. The major US reference work Contemporary Authors has compiled a detailed entry on his career, now available at www.amazon.com.
The range and quality of Ken’s work is reflected in the fact that it has been shortlisted for a WA Premier’s Book Award five times in four different categories – for two wins. His list of literary honours includes: • Creative Development Fellowship, Department of Culture and the Arts, Western Australia, 2010
• Asialink Fellow, India, 2008
• Resident, Island of Residencies, Tasmania, 2008
• Winner, WA Premier’s Book Awards, 2007
• Shortlisted, WA Young Readers’ Book Awards, 2007
• Shortlisted, Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children’s Literature, 2003
• Nominated, WA Young Readers’ Book Awards, 2003
• Shortlisted, WA Premier’s Book Awards, 2000
• Shortlisted, WA Premier’s Book Awards, 1998
• Top 5 listing, The Australian critics’ Books of the Year, 1997
• Shortlisted, WA Premier’s Book Awards, 1994
• Winner, Fellowship of Australian Writers’ National Literary Award, 1986
• Winner, WA Premier’s Book Awards, 1986 Ken Spillman has been a keynote speaker at international festivals and conferences, and frequently conducts workshops on writing and creativity. He is much in demand for presentations and residencies within communities and schools.