In 2005, Matthew was the first author to participate in the Australian Government’s ‘Books Alive’ initiative, for which he wrote the short novel Hell Island, featuring Shane Schofield. Over 200,000 copies of that work were given away for free in August of 2005.

Matthew’s books are published in over 20 languages and he has sold over 3.5 million books worldwide: over 1 million in Australia alone; over a million in the US; and over a million in the UK.

Walt Disney Pictures have optioned the movie rights to his children’s book, Hover Car Racer, whileIce Station was optioned by Paramount Pictures.

Following rejections from all the major publishers, Matthew self-published Contest in 1996, printing 1000 copies. Copying the glossy covers of big international blockbusters, Matthew produced a big-budget-looking novel. He sold the book throughout Sydney, one bookshop at a time.

Sure enough, in January 1997, Cate Paterson, then commissioning editor for Pan Macmillan Australia’s mass-market fiction division, walked into Angus & Robertson’s Pitt Street Mall store and bought a copy of Contest. She enjoyed it enormously and tracked Matthew down through his contact details in the front of the book.

Cate was thrilled to find Matthew working on his next novel, Ice Station. Based on Contest and the first few chapters of this new novel, Cate signed Matthew for a two-book deal with Pan Macmillan Australia.

Interestingly, those original self-published editions of Contest have now become much sought after collectors’ items. One recently sold on eBay for $1200!

Scarecrow & the Army of Thieves Signed 1st UK Edition

Scarecrow Returns Signed First Edition

Scarecrow Signed First Edition

6 Sacred Stones Signed First Edition

7 Deadly Wonders Signed First Edition

5 Greatest Warriors Signed First Edition

To see Matthew Reilly's bibliography, click here or scroll to the bottom of the page.