Ken Spillman

Who is Ken Spillman?

Ken Spillman is a writer based in Perth, Western Australia. Best known as a prolific author of books for children and young adults, his work has spanned diverse genres including poetry, sports writing and literary criticism. His output also includes a large number of books relating to aspects of Australian social history.

Born in London to Australian parents, Spillman spent his childhood in Sydney and Perth. He was active in amateur theatre during his teens and also performed in a school rock band. Encouraged to write by a teacher at Newman College, Perth, he began publishing poetry and stories after moving to Brisbane to attend Griffith University.

From 1977 Spillman began an association with Griffith University academic Ross Fitzgerald, researching Fitzgerald’s book From the Dreaming to 1915: A History of Queensland. The pair later collaborated in compiling a landmark collection of literary writing on Australian football, The Greatest Game, as well as Fathers in Writing.

Spillman's first major solo publication was concerning the history of Subiaco, Western Australia —and he returned for a follow-up history some 20 years later.