Marcus Gibson

Early life

Gibson was born into a devout Christian family in Sydney. He was raised in a strict environment, and by 16 was teaching in a Sunday School run by his parents. At 17, Gibson dropped out of high school to attend Baptist Bible College, but returned to complete high school after one year of study. During this year he published his first short story, aged 18, and won several awards.

After performing well academically, Gibson found work as a construction laborer while completing his first novel.

Works

Gibson's first novel D, was acquired by HarperCollins in Sydney in 1994, and released the following December. The gruesome literary thriller sold out the 10,000 copy print run in little over a month.

At a book signing at the Sydney Opera House, Gibson inscribed more than 200 copies of the novel. A number of signed secondhand editions now appear for sale online.

In August 2011 D became available for sale in paperback.

In September 2011, Gibson's second novel The Dead See was released in paperback.

Awards and recognition

With the publication of D just five weeks after his 22nd birthday, Gibson broke the Guinness World Record for the world's "youngest novelist writing adult-themed work". The record was held at that time by Jennifer DiMarco, whose book 'Escape the Wind' was published two years earlier at age 24.

Prior to the publication of his first novel, Gibson won recognition in short story awards and anthologies including Paradise To Paranoia published by University of Queensland Press, Suncorp Literary Awards and commemorative anthology, Young Writer of the Year, and Nescafe Big Break 1994.

Gibson's novel received favourable reviews in numerous periodicals ('Aurealis', 'Australian Newsagent & Stationer', 'The Southern Star (Brisbane)') and became a popular item in public libraries through the Australian government's Public Lending Right Scheme.

Gibson is an accomplished poet and his chapters and literary allusions add some meat for the more erudite readers. Hence, this well written 'pulp' novel could readily catch the eye of your more 'serious' readers. Both groups should enjoy, as they say.

Gibson made several media appearances, including national television (‘Good Morning Australia’, and featuring in a 1-hr TV special), appeared in TV commercials ('Nescafe' TVC w/ Russell Crowe), national radio (ABC national radio), print (The Sydney Morning Herald 23/12/95, The Australian, Telegraph Mirror 16/12/95), voice-over for pre-recorded radio and other TVCs, and live appearances as a guest on late night television (‘Ground Zero’, Network 10).

Gibson is a member of the high IQ society Mensa International.

Later career

In 1996 Marcus attended the Australian Film Television and Radio School; and served on the judging panel for the AFTRS Cinematography award.

The same year, he attempted to launch an electronic media publishing venture, applying for a world trademark and patent for an 'eBook' device, but the applications lapsed.

In the following years, Gibson worked as a script editor, and freelance writer while seeking a publisher for The Atheists' Bible. Drafts of the manuscript circulated in 2001, discussed acts of terrorism attributed to Osama Bin Laden. Gibson withdrew the novel from sale subsequent to the World Trade Center attacks on 11 September 2001. In 2006 Gibson released a sample of The Atheists' Bible on his website, www.theatheistsbible.com. This website is no longer active.

In 2009 Gibson completed his third manuscript, titled The Peace Bomb. The manuscript predicted a nuclear incident in the Mantapsan Mountains in North Korea, the continuation of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's leadership, and a call by the US government for a new nuclear nonproliferation treaty. Within weeks of the submission of the manuscript to publishers, all three predictions took place.

In September 2010, a link to a YouTube video was leaked via Facebook, showing a teaser/trailer for a novel by Marcus Gibson titled The Dead See. The featured work appears to be similar to - or a retitling of - The Atheists' Bible. In September 2011 'The Dead See' became available on Amazon and various ebook platforms. The Facebook page for this work has since gathered more than 10,000 fans.

Gibson now resides in Melbourne and works in environmental management.