Nathan Luff
I’m one of five boys and we all grew up (just not very high) on a farm outside of Yass, New South Wales. I’ve always loved books and now I get to write them!
Chicken Stu (Scholastic, 2010) was my first book and it is inspired by the antics I got up to with my four brothers on our home farm. It was followed in 2013 by Bad Grammar (Walker Books), a story set at a remote boarding school for rough boys. 2021 marked the release of my junior series called The Nerd Herd, in collaboration with the very talented illustrator, Chris Kennett. And 2023 will see the release of a new middle-grade series, also illustrated by Chris Kennett, called Family Disasters.
As well as books, I write plays. Two of my plays have been nominated for Awgie (Australian Writers’ Guild) Awards: Smashed, and Thai-riffic! (adapted from the novel by Oliver Phommavanh).
These days, when not writing, you might find me at the Sydney Writers’ Festival, where I’m the Children’s and Young Adult Manager. I also teach music, drama and writing within primary schools on a part time basis.
For 7 years I worked for the Wakakirri National Story Festival, an arts festival for Australian schools promoting education through the telling and sharing of stories. I also had an exciting stint as Creative Producer for the Powerhouse Youth Theatre (PYT) in Western Sydney.
In my quest for knowledge (and to avoid real work) I’ve completed a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Theatre/Media), a Graduate Diploma in Screenwriting from the Australian Film, Television & Radio School (AFTRS) and a Master of Teaching. These bits of paper mean I’m much smart.
FAMILY DISASTERS
FAMILY DISASTERS #1: CRASH LANDING
There’s a reason families usually live together—to contain the horror and not inflict it on others. A family holiday is a really, really bad idea!
After a super embarrassing situation at school, Jakob decides the only way to escape the ridicule is to leave the country on a family holiday. But with a cheapskate worry-wart for a dad and an obnoxiously loud optimist for a mum, fresh humiliation is around every corner. Even worse, the weirdest girl at school is coming along for the ride and won’t let Jakob out of her sight. Jakob thinks he has hit rock-bottom. Little does he know there is always further to fall in a family holiday disaster!
FAMILY DISASTERS #2: STORM WARNING
There’s a reason families usually live together— to contain the horror and not inflict it on others. A family holiday is a really, really bad idea!
After getting stranded on a deserted island and then escaping an erupting volcano, Jakob thought his holiday troubles were over. Now onboard the luxury cruise ship that rescued them, Jakob and his family are ready to relax. But they haven’t factored in water slide blockages, wardrobe malfunctions, hypnotism mishaps, sea sickness and much worse. Little does Jakob know there are stormy waters ahead in this next family holiday disaster!
FAMILY DISASTERS #3: ROAD RAGE
There’s a reason families usually live together — to contain the horror and not inflict it on others. A family holiday is a really, really bad idea!
After escaping an erupting volcanic island only to have their cruise ship intercepted by a cyclone, Jakob thought surely his family’s holiday troubles were over. But washed up on the far north coast of Australia, they are still thousands of kilometres from home. There’s plenty more disaster in store as they make their way south, including landslides, breakdowns, pest infections, floods and more. Nothing so far has prepared Jakob for a horrendous family road trip!
The Nerd Herd
The Nerd Herd
A series for readers 7+.
This hilarious story follows three misfits on a farm who want to move up the pecking order. Filled with lots of funny illustrations, comic panels and speech bubbles, making it an accessible read for all levels.
The Nerd Herd #1
Join Barny the Lamb, Shaama Llama Ding Dong, and Billy the Angora Goat as they try to ... WOOL THE WORLD!
The Nerd Herd #2: Raging Wool
Individually they’re meek, mild and soft. But together, with their combined talents, they’re a herd. The Nerd Herd.
The Nerd Herd #3: Outfoxed
Barmy the Llamb has been kidnapped and taken to the den of Mrs Fox. It’s now up to his friends, Shaama Llama Ding Dong and Billy the Kid to save him.
The Nerd Herd #4: Pig Out
Barny and his friends have escaped from Mrs Fox, but now they have a new problem: Kevin Bacon has a job for them.
The Nerd Herd #5: Kitty Litter
Plus-sized Puss has given birth to five kittens, and they are all kinds of trouble! So the whole farm call upon The Nerd Herd to do something about it—and fast!