Scott Westerfeld

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Scott Westerfeld is a New York Times bestselling American-born author of young adult sci-fi literature. He was born in the Texas and now, with fellow YA author and wife Justine Larbalestier, shares his time between Sydney and New York City so as to avoid the winter months in both hemispheres. They have no children and no plans for them. His book 'Evolution's Darling' was a New York Times Notable Book, and won a Special Citation for the 2000 Philip K. Dick Award. 'So Yesterday' won a Victorian Premier's Award and 'Midnighters 1: The Secret Hour' won an Aurealis Award. 'Peeps' and 'Uglies' were both named as Best Books for Young Adults 2006 by the American Library Association.

Author's Comment: Q: With series including the popular 'Midnighters' and 'Uglies', you seem to making a big impact in the young adult market. What attracts you to writing fantasy for a younger readership? A: Teen readers are in some ways like SF readers: They question the way the world works and they question their place in it. They can imagine, in the way "mundane" adult readers do not, the world being utterly different. Being a teenager is a fundamentally alien experience. Also, the average teen is more into language invention than the average adult - they write more poetry, use more slang, and bestow more nicknames than adults - which also makes them like SF readers. That said, the main advantage of being a teen writer is that I can change genres without any confusion. I've written fantasy, SF, and contemporary realism, but the bookstores still puts them all in the same teen section, no worries.

Nationality: American