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Doug worked in TV for sixteen years (mainly comedy shows) but decided to return to writing children's books in 2002. He wrote TUMBLE TURN, a comic rites-of-passage novel for teen readers, published by Puffin. The book is on the syllabus of the primary school teaching course at Deakin University.
He followed this up in 2004 when Puffin published his collection of weird and wicked rhymes called SPIKY SPUNKY, MY PET MONKEY. |
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He teamed up with Craig Smith again in 2005 for LEON STUMBLE'S BOOK OF STUPID FAIRYTALES, published by Working Title Press.
Another teen novel, I'M BEING STALKED BY AMOONSHADOW, was published in 2006 by Puffin. It was shortlisted for the Patricia Wrightson Award in the 2007 New South Wales State Literary Awards. The book was also published in America where it earned excellent reviews. |
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2007 saw the publication of his fantasy spoof, KEVIN THE TROLL.
His latest Puffin title, THE CLOCKWORK FOREST, is a more serious work of fantasy for young adult readers, based on a play he wrote, to be staged by The Sydney Theatre Company in late 2008. It still has jokes. |
When he’s not writing books, Doug has fun working part-time as script editor on the popular TV series, KATH AND KIM. With co-writer Philip Dalkin he has just completed writing 26 episodes of the animated TV series, DOGSTAR, for the BBC and Channel Nine. The script for the first episode won him an Australian Writers’ Guild award in 2006.
He also had an immense amount of fun helping satirist John Clarke to write the musical production based on the works of May Gibbs.
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Doug has spoken in schools all over Australia. He talks about the process of making books 'from pen to print', as well as writing for television. He prefers working with upper primary and lower secondary students.
His proudest moment is when comedian John Cleese sent him a fan letter.
Watch a short clip about Doug's school visits. |
"Doug was
very entertaining and funny... The boys really enjoyed his approach
and humour. The readings and poetry went down very well. He
spoke to 120 boys which was a large audience and he handled
it very well... Copies of his books were borrowed immediately."
-Michael Jongen, Penleigh & Essendon Grammar.
"When you read
a first-person narrative as witty and concise as this
hilarious catalogue of misadventures, you realise why
so many YA comedies fail to appeal to their target audience."
- Robyn Sheahan-Bright, Australian
Book Review.
"Doug MacLeod's
new novel is a humdinger. The poet we know and love
is here in word games, snappy lines and an essential
goodwill towards complicated people. Highly recommended."
- Kerry White, The Australian
Bookseller and Publisher.
“With a fresh voice, sensitivity, dead-pan humor and myriad odd facts that he weaves into the story, Seth is irresistible. Would that more of MacLeod's charm and humor crosses the ocean.”
- Kirkus Starred Review (US)
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