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Tobias Madden
Photo Credit: Kate Williams

Tobias Madden

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Originally from Ballarat, Tobias worked for ten years as a performer, touring Australia and New Zealand with musicals such as Mary Poppins, CATS, and Guys and Dolls. He now resides in New York City with his husband, Daniel, and their Cavoodle, Ollie.

In 2019, Tobias edited and published Underdog: #LoveOzYA Short Stories and co-wrote the cabaret show Siblingship. His debut novel, Anything But Fine, was awarded the Australian Association of Family Therapy’s Book Award for Older Readers, was shortlisted for ABIA Book of the Year for Older Readers, was named one of Better Reading’s Top 50 Kids Books, and was included on Bank Street College of Education’s list of Best Children’s Books of the Year (US).

Tobias is a passionate member of the #LoveOzYA and LGBTQ+ communities, and he currently works full-time in book marketing.

Books by Tobias Madden

Wrong Answers Only

Marco's always done the right thing. But now it's time for wrong answers only.

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Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell

Tobias Madden delivers another swoonworthy YA rom-com winner with his second novel!

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Anything But Fine

A heartfelt and hilarious Australian YA debut from a rising star.

Read more

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Wrong Answers Only by Tobias Madden

Marco's always done the right thing. But now it's time for wrong answers only. Out now! Read more here: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/wrong-answers-only-9780143777403

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Tobias Madden shares the inspiration behind his new novel, Wrong Answers Only

We caught up with Tobias Madden to learn about his new novel, Wrong Answers Only. Plus, discover his secrets for tapping into your creativity and his top tips for aspiring authors.

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Some of the most anticipated YA books of 2024

Exciting upcoming books for YA readers.

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Exclusive audiobook content that will inspire you to read more than ever before

Love audiobooks? They’re even better with extra content! Check out some of the audiobooks that include exclusive recorded content for even more enjoyment.

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Award-winning and shortlisted books of 2022

Discover the best Penguin Random House books of 2022 with this list of award-winning and shortlisted titles this year.

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Authors were back on the road in 2022 - and we loved it!

Join us as we travel back in time through 2022 with the authors that hit the road this year.

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Escape into summer with these YA bestsellers

Dive right into these amazing YA books for a summer of great reading ahead.

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A book publicist shares his top 9 must-reads

Connor Parissis shares his favourite reads of 2022 and the books he’s looking forward to in 2023.

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5 books Tobias Madden thinks you should read

Book recommendations from author Tobias Madden for every type of reader.

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Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell by Tobias Madden

Tobias Madden delivers another swoonworthy YA rom-com winner with his second novel! https://www.penguin.com.au/books/take-a-bow-noah-mitchell-9780143777397 Noah is in love with his online best friend. Which is a huge problem, for the following reasons: 1. His crush has no idea. 2. Noah only knows him as his gaming avatar. 3. There’s zero chance they’ll ever meet in real life. So, when Noah sees an opportunity to secretly meet his crush, he takes it. Even though he’ll have to join the cast of a local production of Chicago with his self-obsessed mother. Even though he’ll need to lie to his best (and only) friend. And even though he’ll have to sing and dance in front of actual people. Because love is worth the risk. And, really, what could possibly go wrong?

Video
Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell

Tobias Madden delivers another swoonworthy YA rom-com winner with his second novel! https://www.penguin.com.au/books/take-a-bow-noah-mitchell-9780143777397 Noah is in love with his online best friend. Which is a huge problem, for the following reasons: 1. His crush has no idea. 2. Noah only knows him as his gaming avatar. 3. There’s zero chance they’ll ever meet in real life. So, when Noah sees an opportunity to secretly meet his crush, he takes it. Even though he’ll have to join the cast of a local production of Chicago with his self-obsessed mother. Even though he’ll need to lie to his best (and only) friend. And even though he’ll have to sing and dance in front of actual people. Because love is worth the risk. And, really, what could possibly go wrong?

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6 new and upcoming YA books worthy of your TBR list this winter

Learn about the new YA books that you’ll want to read this winter.

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2022 ABIAs shortlist announced

Winners to be announced on Thursday 9 June.

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Penguin Teen Christmas Bingo

Join the Penguin Teen read-a-thon this summer.

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The Most Anticipated YA Books of 2021

New stories from bestselling authors Lynette Noni, Becky Albertali, Karen M. McManus, Rick Riordan, and more.

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Anything But Fine | Q&A with Tobias Madden

Buy now: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/anything-but-fine-9781761042027 A heartfelt and hilarious Australian YA debut from a rising star. Luca is ready to audition for the Australian Ballet School. All it takes to crush his dreams is one missed step . . . and a broken foot. Jordan is the gorgeous rowing star and school captain of Luca's new school. Everyone says he's straight - but Luca’s not so sure . . . As their unlikely bond grows stronger, Luca starts to wonder: who is he without ballet? And is he setting himself up for another heartbreak? #AnythingButFine #TobiasMadden #PenguinTeenAus

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Anything But Fine by Tobias Madden | Out September 2021

Buy now: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/anything-but-fine-9781761042027 A heartfelt and hilarious Australian YA debut from a rising star. Luca is ready to audition for the Australian Ballet School. All it takes to crush his dreams is one missed step . . . and a broken foot. Jordan is the gorgeous rowing star and school captain of Luca's new school. Everyone says he's straight - but Luca’s not so sure . . . As their unlikely bond grows stronger, Luca starts to wonder: who is he without ballet? And is he setting himself up for another heartbreak? 'Anything But Fine is everything wonderful I love in a book: characters so real they breathe, a rollercoaster of a story that made me laugh, cry, and swoon, and vivid, gorgeous writing. Brilliant.' –Jennifer Niven, #1 New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places 'I was hooked from the first paragraph and I absolutely loved this book! At its heart is such a fresh, diverse, heartwarming love story that anyone will love, no matter how they identify. I cried at times but I smiled so often while I was reading this. While it was at times raw, devastating and real, it was such a fun, cute and romantic read, and I fell in love with Luca over and over again! I was cheering for Luca from the beginning and continue to cheer for him beyond the final page.' – Gary Lonesborough, award-winning author of The Boy from the Mish 'Anything But Fine is a gorgeous story about love, loss, friendship and hope – and about finding your true self after your one and only dream shatters into a thousand pieces.' – Fleur Ferris, bestselling author of Risk ‘In Anything But Fine, Tobias Madden delivers a stirring meditation on identity and grief. Sweet, warm and thoroughly delightful, it will quickly dance its way into your heart.’ – Krystal Sutherland, bestselling author of Our Chemical Hearts ‘Anything But Fine is a hilarious and moving portrait of what it means to reassess your life when your future suddenly looks very different to what you’ve always dreamed. Tobias Madden has created a queer love story that is fresh, romantic and thoroughly entertaining.’ – Erin Gough, award-winning author of Amelia Westlake ‘Sincere, charming, emotional, and chaotic, Anything But Fine is an honest portrayal of how equally terrifying and beautiful figuring out who we are and who we can be is.’ – Jonny Garza Villa, author of Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun ‘Luca and the whole cast of Anything But Fine will forever be pirouetting in my soul! With so much humour and heart, Tobias Madden shows that whether it's coming out, romance, friendship, school, or career ambitions, there's no singular right way to get where you're going. Even when seemingly insurmountable obstacles come your way, sometimes the biggest triumphs come from dancing into the unexpected.’ – Jason June, author of Jay’s Gay Agenda ‘A messy, funny, and heartwarming book that brilliantly tackles the difficulties of grieving your biggest dreams, the headrush of first love, and the complexities of friendship.’ – Adiba Jaigirdar, author of The Henna Wars ‘Heartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting and romantic, Anything But Fine explores how hard the fall from a great high can be, and what it means to pick yourself back up again. With unforgettable, realistic characters you can’t help but root for, this contemporary is a must-read for everyone who’s ever been left wondering how to find themselves again when their entire world is uprooted.’ – Sophie Gonzales, author of Only Mostly Devastated #AnythingButFine #TobiasMadden

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Anything But Fine by Tobias Madden | Pre-order now

Pre-order: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/anything-but-fine-9781761042027 Luca is ready to audition for the Australian Ballet School. All it takes to crush his dreams is one missed step . . . and a broken foot. Jordan is the gorgeous rowing star and school captain of Luca's new school. Everyone says he's straight - but Luca’s not so sure . . . As their unlikely bond grows stronger, Luca starts to wonder: who is he without ballet? And is he setting himself up for another heartbreak? #AnythingButFine #TobiasMadden #LoveOzYA

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Superproofs are here!

In stores July 2021, until stocks run out.

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Top 10 Queer YA Books of 2021

Read the rainbow with new stories from Becky Albertalli, Tobias Madden, Krystal Sutherland, Alicia Jasinska and more.