Trent Dalton is a well-regarded author, journalist, and screenwriter based in Australia. He was born in Ipswich on the outskirts of Brisbane and was raised by a suburban wingless angel and a tattooed bibliophile mud crab fisherman. Dalton's upbringing has significantly influenced his writing, providing him with a unique perspective that he has used to great effect in his work.
Dalton began his writing career as a journalist, working for The Weekend Australian Magazine and The Courier-Mail. He has won numerous awards for his journalism, including a Walkley Award and four National News Awards for Feature Journalist of the Year. In addition to his work in print journalism, Dalton has also written several short and feature-length film screenplays, and his writing has been twice nominated for a United Nations of Australia Media Peace Award.
In addition to his journalism and screenwriting, Dalton is also an accomplished novelist. His debut novel, Boy Swallows Universe, was published in 2018 and won the 2019 Indie Book Awards "Book of the Year." He has also written a non-fiction collection, Detours: Stories from the Street, which was inspired by his three months spent immersed in Brisbane's homeless community. The proceeds from the book went back to the 20 people featured within its pages. Dalton's writing is deeply empathetic and compassionate, and he has a talent for bringing marginalized voices to the forefront of his work.
Dalton has also made a name for himself as a radio host, having hosted the ABC Conversations show while Richard Fidler was on a Churchill Fellowship. His debut feature film screenplay, In the Silence, is currently in production, and he continues to write for The Weekend Australian Magazine. With his unique voice and powerful storytelling, Dalton has established himself as one of Australia's most exciting and talented writers.