Sophie Masson

Sophie Masson is a French-Australian fantasy and children's author.

Early life and education

Sophie Masson was born in Indonesia of French parents who are of mixed ancestry (French, Spanish and Portuguese). Masson, the third in a family of seven children, came to Australia at the age of five and spent most of the rest of her childhood shuttling back and forth between Australia and France.

Career

Her first two novels, one for adults entitled The House in the Rainforest; the second, for children, called Fire in the Sky, were published in Australia in 1990. Having written 40 books, for children, young adults and adults, she is now published in the UK, United States, Thailand and Germany as well as Australia. Most of her novels are in the fantasy genre, but she has also written realistic fiction. She has also had many short stories, essays, articles and reviews published, in books, magazines, newspapers and internet journals.

Personal life

Masson is married, has three children and lives in northern New South Wales. She has also written books under the pen-names of Isabelle Merlin and Jenna Austen.

Nominations and Awards

• 2011: New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Literature for The Hunt for Ned Kelly
• 2005: Aurealis Award The YA category for The Hand of Glory

Several other books have been shortlisted for the Aurealis Award for Excellence in Speculative Fiction.