Jonathan Harlen

Jonathan Harlen (born 1953) is an Australian‑born writer who has lived and worked in New Zealand since the early 1990s. He is best known for his contributions to children’s and young‑adult literature, as well as for several adult novels and screenplays.

Early life and education
Harlen was born in Sydney, Australia. Details about his formal education are not widely documented; however, he worked as a secondary‑school teacher before turning to full‑time writing.

Literary career
Harlen’s writing career began in the late 1970s. He has published a range of works across multiple genres, including:

• Children’s and young‑adult fiction – Notable titles include The Pullout (1998), The River (2000), and The Great Fire (2009). These books often explore themes of personal growth, social change, and historical events.
• Adult novels – He has written several works for adult audiences, such as The Telling (1995) and The Inheritance (2002).
• Screenplays – Harlen has contributed scripts for television and film, though specific titles are not extensively recorded in public sources.

Awards and recognition
Harlen’s contributions to literature have been recognized with several honors, including:

• Shortlisting for the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards (specific years and works are not consistently cited).
• Receipt of literary grants from New Zealand Arts Council and related bodies.

Personal life
Harlen resides in New Zealand, where he continues to write and engage in literary outreach activities, including workshops and school visits.

Bibliography (selected)

References
Information about Jonathan Harlen is compiled from library catalogues, publisher announcements, and literary award listings available up to 2024. Specific primary sources (e.g., author interviews, publisher biographies) are limited, and certain details—such as the full list of awards and exact publication dates—remain partially undocumented.