Official Website of Author, Producer, and Artist Michael Mortensen

Biography | Personal Appearances | Contact

I was born March 12, and have been writing nearly all my life. In point of fact, I was the only grade two student in my town to receive a typewriter for Christmas. In tow with my family, I lived a rather nomadic existence until I emigrated to Canada in 1980. Toronto has been my home ever since.

In Grade 11, I was Grand Prize Winner in my high school's annual literary contest. My first place short story was published in the Edgewater Yearbook without a title. It was one of the last short stories I wrote for over twenty years, as I have always been primarily a novelist.

Inducted into the Academic and Spanish Honor Societies, I attended Florida Technological University on the early-enrollment program after I completed Grade 11, but left for Toronto in my Junior year. I have never formally studied writing or literature, and hold no degrees.

Since moving to Toronto, I have written text for numerous websites, computer application user guides, etc., and enjoyed a two year stint as Writer/Researcher of Video Preview, a production of MMC Video One Canada, "Canada's Largest Distributor of Home Entertainment." Video Preview was an "Entertainment Tonight"-style program once seen in over 5000 markets across Canada. For details, visit Projects - Film & Video.

Throughout 1983, I was a regular contributing illustrator to Avenue Magazine, then the city's largest magazine at 100,000 copies per issue. My pen-and-ink artwork graced columns by Daniel Richler, David Logan, and others. Visit Projects - Illustration for details.

My first novel, Karnival, was published by Gutter Press 28 August 2002 to critical acclaim. I was thrilled to have the novel chosen for inclusion in the CNIB Library (in both audio cassette and CD-ROM formats). For details visit Projects - Text In Print. For in-depth information, visit the official Karnival webiste at www.kliegs.com

My second novel -- the first Karnival sequel entitled The Book of Nola -- and a third book -- a collection of shorter works entitled Michael Mortensen's Wicked People -- have been completed and are being submitted to selected publishers. Visit Projects - In Final Draft for details.

"Michael Mortensen's Wicked People: The Series" is currently in development with Cayle Chernin/Cayle Film and Leslie Ann Coles. For details visit: Projects - Film & Video.

In between all these career highlights I have worked as: a farm hand; cleaner; carny; baker; factory worker; shipper/receiver; photographer's assistant; art director; set dresser; and in retail sales. Currently, I am employed fulltime with my myriad of Projects. I am now proudly a member of The Writers' Union of Canada, and regularly donate my time as a reader for various Union Competitions.