Marcus Gibson
Encyclopedia
Marcus Keith Gibson is an Australia
n writer who emerged at a young age with the novel 'D'.
. 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.
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 on Amazon
: D in paperback, and as an ebook on the iBookstore: D on iBookstore, Amazon
: D on Amazon Kindle and NOOK: D on NOOK.
In September 2011, Gibson's second novel 'The Dead See' was released in paperback on Amazon
: The Dead See in paperback, and as an ebook on the iBookstore: The Dead See on iBookstore, Amazon
: The Dead See on Amazon Kindle and NOOK: The Dead See on NOOK
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 also participated in the judging panel for the Nescafe Big Break for two subsequent years.
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 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
.
; 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 September 11, 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'.
Gibson now resides in Melbourne and works in environmental management.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n writer who emerged at a young age with the novel 'D'.
Early life
Gibson was born into a devout Christian family in SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. 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 HarperCollinsHarperCollins
HarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. It is the combination of the publishers William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd, a British company, and Harper & Row, an American company, itself the result of an earlier merger of Harper & Brothers and Row, Peterson & Company. The worldwide...
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 on Amazon
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
: D in paperback, and as an ebook on the iBookstore: D on iBookstore, Amazon
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
: D on Amazon Kindle and NOOK: D on NOOK.
In September 2011, Gibson's second novel 'The Dead See' was released in paperback on Amazon
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
: The Dead See in paperback, and as an ebook on the iBookstore: The Dead See on iBookstore, Amazon
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
: The Dead See on Amazon Kindle and NOOK: The Dead See on NOOK
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
University of Queensland Press
Established in 1948, University of Queensland Press is a dynamic publishing house known for its innovative philosophy and commitment to producing books of high quality and cultural significance...
, Suncorp Literary Awards and commemorative anthology, Young Writer of the Year, and Nescafe Big Break 1994.
Gibson also participated in the judging panel for the Nescafe Big Break for two subsequent years.
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."
—Australian Newsagent & Stationer, Dec 1995/Jan 1996, Page 18, 'It's a D Good Yarn'
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
The Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald is a daily broadsheet newspaper published by Fairfax Media in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1831 as the Sydney Herald, the SMH is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Australia. The newspaper is published six days a week. The newspaper's Sunday counterpart, The...
23/12/95, The Australian
The Australian
The Australian is a broadsheet newspaper published in Australia from Monday to Saturday each week since 14 July 1964. The editor in chief is Chris Mitchell, the editor is Clive Mathieson and the 'editor-at-large' is Paul Kelly....
, 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
Ground Zero (television show)
Ground Zero was a late night Australian music show on Channel Ten that featured music videos and live appearances. It aired from 1997 to 2001 and was initially directed by Bernie Zelvis and was hosted by Jade Gatt , Ugly Phil and Jackie O.By 1999 the program was no longer filmed in a studio and was...
’, Network 10).
Gibson is a member of the high IQ society
High IQ society
A high IQ society is an organization that limits its membership to people who are within a certain high percentile of Intelligence quotient test results. The oldest, largest and best-known such society is Mensa International, which was founded by Roland Berrill and Dr. Lancelot Ware in 1946...
Mensa International
Mensa International
Mensa is the largest and oldest high-IQ society in the world. It is a non-profit organization open to people who score at the 98th percentile or higher on a standardised, supervised IQ or other approved intelligence test...
.
Later career
In 1996 Marcus attended the Australian Film Television and Radio SchoolAustralian Film Television and Radio School
The Australian Film, Television and Radio School is the Australian national centre for professional education and advanced training in film, television, radio and digital media. The School is an Australian Commonwealth government statutory authority...
; 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
World Trade Center attacks
World Trade Center attacks can refer to multiple attacks on the World Trade Center in the U.S. city of New York:*1993 World Trade Center bombing, in which the complex was damaged*September 11 attacks, in which the complex was destroyed...
on September 11, 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'.
Gibson now resides in Melbourne and works in environmental management.