Picture an Australian storyteller who spun tales of steampunk juggernauts and celestial wars—meet Richard Harland! Born in Yorkshire, England, in 1947, Harland’s journey from a junk-filled ‘chicken run’ to winning multiple Aurealis Awards is a testament to imagination and grit. His science fiction and fantasy novels, blending noir detective vibes with supernatural twists, have captivated readers worldwide.
Now living south of Sydney, Harland crafts worlds that feel both vast and intimate, earning him a dedicated following. Whether it’s the gritty Eddon and Vail series or the whimsical Wolf Kingdom quartet, his stories invite you to lose yourself in speculative wonder.
The Making of Richard Harland
Richard Harland’s childhood in rural England was a playground for creativity. Behind his cousin’s house, a junk-strewn ‘chicken run’ became the stage for building submarines and castles, sparking adventures that fueled his early storytelling. At 21, he migrated to Australia on a university scholarship, falling in love with the country. After earning a BA in English from Cambridge University, he pursued academia, lecturing at the University of Wollongong. But his heart belonged to writing, despite 25 years of writer’s block that tested his resolve.
A turning point came with his first novel, The Vicar of Morbing Vyle, a gothic fantasy that gained cult status. Quitting his secure lectureship in 1997, Harland bet on his dream of becoming a full-time writer, a gamble that paid off with a prolific career in speculative fiction.
Richard Harland’s Unforgettable Stories
Harland’s bibliography is a treasure trove of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. His Eddon and Vail series, starting with The Dark Edge, follows Inspector Eddon Brac and psychic Vail in a futuristic Australia, blending detective noir with cosmic horror. The trilogy’s rich angelology, drawn from Christian, Islamic, and Judaic lore, paints angels as awe-inspiring yet relatable beings.
The Worldshaker trilogy, a steampunk triumph, explores class divides aboard a massive mobile city. Its vivid world-building and fast-paced plots earned Harland the Prix Tam-tam du Livre Jeunesse in France. For younger readers, the Wolf Kingdom quartet, an illustrated series, won an Aurealis Award for its charming blend of adventure and supernatural whimsy. The Black Crusade, a darkly comic prequel to The Vicar of Morbing Vyle, showcases Harland’s knack for macabre humor, also clinching an Aurealis Award.
Harland’s style is immersive, with meticulous world-building and a love for maps that ground his fantastical settings. His narratives balance action with emotional depth, making his characters’ struggles resonate across genres and age groups.
Why Richard Harland Matters
Richard Harland’s impact lies in his ability to blur genre lines, crafting stories that appeal to both young and adult readers. His steampunk and science fiction works have influenced the Australian speculative fiction scene, inspiring writers to explore bold, hybrid narratives. Winning six Aurealis Awards, he’s a celebrated figure in Australia’s literary community, yet his international reach, particularly with Worldshaker, has introduced global audiences to his unique voice.
Beyond his novels, Harland’s generosity shines through his 145-page guide to writing fantasy, freely shared online, helping aspiring authors navigate the craft. His perseverance through decades of writer’s block is a beacon for creatives, proving that passion can triumph over doubt.
About Richard Harland
- Born: January 15, 1947, in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England
- Key Works: Worldshaker, Eddon and Vail, Wolf Kingdom, The Black Crusade
- Awards: Six Aurealis Awards, Prix Tam-tam du Livre Jeunesse
- Lives: South of Sydney, Australia, with partner Aileen and Yogi the Labrador
Snag Worldshaker or dive into the eerie Eddon and Vail series to experience Richard Harland’s thrilling speculative worlds!