Lian Tanner is a renowned Australian author, celebrated for her children's novels. Born in 1951, she is the youngest child in her family, having three older brothers and no sisters. As a child, she was shy and introverted, a trait that is reflected in her bold female characters in her books. Tanner's love for reading and writing was sparked during her time at university where she studied Earth Sciences, and later at drama school.
Tanner's life experiences have significantly influenced her writing. She has been dynamited while scuba diving, arrested for busking, and spent a week in the jungles of Papua New Guinea, looking for a Japanese soldier left over from World War II. These adventures have provided her with a wealth of material to draw upon in her stories. Tanner's interests in secrets, old bones, and animals that are not what they seem are also reflected in her writing. She currently resides in southern Tasmania by the beach with her cat.
Tanner is the author of several best-selling book series, including The Keepers, The Hidden, and The Rogues, all set in fascinating worlds that capture the imagination of her readers. The Keepers series won two Aurealis Awards for Best Australian Children's Fantasy and has been translated into eleven languages. The Hidden series has been published in Australia, New Zealand, and North America, while The Rogues series has been translated into Spanish. Tanner's first picture book, 'Ella and the Ocean,' won the 2020 NSW Premier's Award for Children's Literature and the 2022 Tasmanian Literary Award for Children's Books.
In addition to her accolades, Tanner has also been recognized for her contribution to children's crime novels. 'A Clue for Clara' won the 2021 Sisters in Crime Davitt Award for Best Children's Crime Novel, and its sequel, 'Rita's Revenge,' was shortlisted for the 2022 NSW Premier's Award for Children's Literature. Tanner's writing is a testament to her love for books, horses, gardening, animals, and secrets. She continues to inspire young readers with her captivating stories and intriguing characters.