Michael is a children's author with a chequered past, having previously worked as: a radio broadcaster with the ABC a copywriter a television scriptwriter/producer a comedy writer and even a songwriter. But before any of that, he was born in Sydney, grew up in a housing commission flat in Melbourne, and played in a band that almost became famous. His 70-plus titles include a 20-book series about the funny and exciting sporting adventures of Maxx Rumble, six books about a family called The Undys, a heart-warming first reader called Pig Dude: He Can Do ANYTHING! and the acclaimed picture books Why I Love Footy and Bear Make Den.