Gillian Rubinstein


Gillian Rubinstein is an English-born children's author and playwright. Born in Potten End, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, Rubinstein split her childhood between England and Nigeria, moving to Australia in 1973. As well as eight plays, numerous short stories and articles, she has written over 30 books. Her award-winning and hugely popular 1986 debut Space Demons introduced the themes of growing up and fantasy worlds which emerge often in her other writings. Books such as At Ardilla, Foxspell and Galax-Arena all received critical acclaim and multiple awards.
In 2001, Rubinstein published Across the Nightingale Floor, the first of the best-selling three-book series Tales of the Otori series under the pseudonym Lian Hearn. The series is set in a fictional island nation resembling feudal Japan.
The name 'Lian', comes from a childhood nickname and 'Hearn' apparently refers to herons which are a prominent theme in the series. It has also been suggested that the surname is most likely borrowed from Lafcadio Hearn; one of the first Western writers to tackle Japanese mythology.
Gillian Rubinstein currently resides in Mullumbimby, New South Wales.
WWW Official Site

Works

Writing as Gillian Rubinstein

Space Demons Beyond the Labyrinth Skymaze At Ardilla Answers to Brut Galax-Arena Mr Plunkett's pool, illustrated by Terry DentonKeep Me Company, illustrated by Lorraine HannayDog in, Cat Out, illustrated by Ann JamesFoxspell Jake and Pete, illustrated by Terry DentonThe Giant's Tooth, illustrated by Craig SmithPeanut the ponyrat Annie's Brother's Suit Witch Music and other stories Shinkei Sharon, keep your hair on, illustrated by David MackintoshUnder the Cat's Eye Jake and Pete and the stray dogs Random House Australia, 1997), illustrated by Terry DentonEach beach illustrations by Mark Sofilas Hooray for the Kafe Karaoke, pictures by David MackintoshThe Pirates' Ship, illustrated by Craig SmithThe Fairy's Wings, illustrated by Craig SmithPure Chance, illustrations by Caroline BinchDucky's nest, illustrated by Terry DentonThe Mermaid of Bondi Beach, illustrated by Anna PignataroJake & Pete and the Catcrowbats, illustrated by Terry DentonJake and Pete and the magpie's wedding, with Terry DentonTerra-Farma Prue Theroux : the cool librarian, illustrated by David Mackintosh
  • ''The Whale's Child''

Writing as Lian Hearn

[Tales of the Otori]

Main sequence
  1. Across the Nightingale Floor
  2. Grass for His Pillow
  3. Brilliance of the Moon
  4. ''The Harsh Cry of the Heron''
    Prequel

Other works

  • "His Kikuta Hands" is a short story expanding on a scene in ''Brilliance of the Moon''

Children of the Otori

  1. Orphan Warriors
  2. Sibling Assassins
  • "Wine, Knife, Sword - A Tale from the Eight Islands", short story, background to ''Orphan Warriors''

The Tale of Shikanoko

  1. Emperor of the Eight Islands
  2. Autumn Princess, Dragon Child
  3. Lord of the Darkwood
  4. The Tengu's Game of Go
The Tale of Shikanoko series is set in the Otori universe, several centuries prior to the Tales of the Otori.

Stand-alone novels

Writing as G.M. Hanson

Anthologies edited by Gillian Rubinstein

After Dark: Seven Tales to Read at Night
  • ''Before Dawn: More Tales to Read at Night''

Contributions

  • New introduction as Lian Hearn for Japan and Her People, by Anna Hartshorne, Jetlag Press, 2007. Edited by Brent Massey and Christopher E. West.

Awards