About
Dan McGuiness is an author and illustrator based in South Australia. He began his career with the children’s graphic novel series Pilot and Huxley, which was published in multiple countries. He has illustrated books for a number of Australian authors and is currently the illustrator on the successful Hot Dog series.
He has a fun, high-energy presentation style and engages audiences by sharing his interests, his process, and his path to becoming a published author. He enjoys introducing audiences to the graphic novel format, and incorporates an interactive character creation session designed to encourage young people to be creative.
If you are interested in booking Dan, email Becky at
becky@beckysliterary.com.au
Alternatively, you can call Becky on 0424 584 697
Session Info:
When I was young I was diagnosed with a kidney disease and spent a lot of time in hospital, missing about two years of primary school. As a result, I became a reluctant reader. I strive to create stories aimed at reluctant readers, and graphic novels are prefect for that.
I talk about all the steps I took in becoming who I am today. I also explain how comics and graphic novels are an exciting, stimulating, different way to tell stories and be creative.
I show kids that they can start creating now! I talk about activities kids can start doing straight away. I incorporate an interactive character creation session on a whiteboard designed to encourage young people to be creative.
Topics covered:
- my story
- comics
- graphic novels
- how I create comics
- how kids can start creating comics
- character creation
- world building
danmcguiness.com.au 
Hi Dan,
I LOVE your book Pilot & Huxley!
I am doing a book report about it for school and need to know your birthdate for the bio. I have got some information off your website, but don’t know your birthdate. Can you please tell me?
From your fan,
Nick Burton (aged 10)
Brisbane, Qld.
January 30, 2012 at 7:17 am
Hi Nick.
My Birthday is 18/02/78.
All the best with your report 😀
Dan.
January 30, 2012 at 7:25 am
To Dan,
You are the best drawer in the world! We think they are very creative and we enjoyed making Phillip the duck dinosaur with jelly arms with you 🙂 We are looking forward to starting our own graphic novels and comics.
You have inspired us!
From Miss Smith’s year 3 class at Ceduna Area School
March 27, 2012 at 2:34 am
Pingback: Book review: Drongoes | Soup Blog
Your books are great
February 22, 2014 at 11:33 pm
Dan,
How come your 3rd Pilot and Huxley book is not available in Canada? Loved your first two books, but can’t find the 3rd one.
Justin
May 26, 2014 at 1:06 am
Hi Justin, sorry for the late reply, This message got by me.
Unfortunately the US didn’t get the rights for P&H3 so it won’t be coming out there, sorry.
But this website has the Australian version and does deliver to the USA.
http://www.boomerangbooks.com.au/Pilot-and-Huxley-3-Pilot-and-Huxley-Vs-Planet-Arpros/Dan-McGuiness/book_9781862918504.htm
All the best.
Dan McGuiness.
January 14, 2015 at 8:53 am
Hello Dan,
My son absolutely adores the Pilot and Huxley books. He’s just turned 8, and like you really only likes reading comics (and graphic novels), playing video games, and watching cartoons. I can relate (he’s my son after all!), but there’s a problem here…. we live in the United States, and it’s next to IMPOSSIBLE to find your Pilot and Huxley books here!! He’s got the first book which we were lucky enough to get via the scholastic book fair last year, and he’s read it so many times it’s practically falling apart. We were fortunate enough to find a decent copy of “The Next Adventure” on ebay for less than $30.00 shipped.
Now we’re having the hardest time trying to find the 3rd book, “Pilot and Huxley vs Planet Arpros” that will ship to the US that won’t cost us an arm and a leg….can you by any chance point us in the right direction? I would be forever grateful, as we just absolutely adore you and your books. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time out to read our little plea here, and I totally understand if there isn’t much you can do about our little situation.
Keep being amazing at what you do, and keep on living the dream.
Much kudos,
Molly and Trevor
January 13, 2015 at 3:49 pm
Hi Molly
Unfortunately the US didn’t get the rights for P&H3 so it won’t be coming out there, sorry.
But this website has the Australian version and does deliver to the USA but im not sure for how much.
http://www.boomerangbooks.com.au/Pilot-and-Huxley-3-Pilot-and-Huxley-Vs-Planet-Arpros/Dan-McGuiness/book_9781862918504.htm
All the best and have a day.
Dan McGuiness.
January 14, 2015 at 8:51 am
hey dan i love your books! i am researching you for school and i need to know what inspired you to become a cartoonist?
from george
June 19, 2015 at 2:26 am
Hi George.
All things that I love inspire me. Movies, Anime, Video games and comics all give me inspiration.
June 23, 2015 at 5:18 am
Hi Dan i`m doing a draft photo essay and i was wondering if you could tell me where you publish your books PS: i love your books
yours sincerely Jackson
March 23, 2016 at 4:03 am
Hi Jackson. My books are published through Scholastic here (Aus) and in America. Thanks for enjoying my books!
March 23, 2016 at 4:54 am
My almost 8 year old Huxley and I, his mom, LOVE Pilot and Huxley. We love every time it reads “Holy Huxley”. Thank you for such a fun series! My Huxley says “they are really funny”.
May 7, 2016 at 7:20 pm
Hi Dan
I had a great time on Wednesday with you and you are such an amazing drawer
I was just wondering when our picture would be up online
Thanks From Zoe at Lefevre Peninsula Primary school (Port Adelaide Libary)
August 24, 2017 at 8:59 am
Hi Zoe. Your pictures are up now.
August 28, 2017 at 12:11 am
Hey Dan
I’m 13 right now and I still have the first P&H book on my bookshelf.
I Had gotten it for Christmas when I was 7 (I Think) and I read so many times to count. I Read so much that I made my own comics. Because of your comics, I make comics now! I’m thinking about making it a full career if possible.
BTW, Do you have any drawing tips for me?
December 12, 2017 at 4:26 pm
Hi Dan you have recently came to my school and you were really inspiring you da best 🙂
August 16, 2018 at 2:13 am
Hi Dan I really like your books’ pilot an Huxley is my favriote I’ve read it like a million times I was thinking. Can you please make a pilot an Huxley 4 I know you might not make a pilot an Huxley 4 but it would be funny to see pilot an Huxleyas adults.
an they go on another adventure I was about to tell you your my favriote author ever.my friends really like your books to I hope you read this by Dan.
August 20, 2018 at 6:42 am
Hi Dan my name is spencer I really like your books I would like to meet you one day. My favriote graphic book is pilot an Huxley I’ve read it hundreds of times you are my favriote author. I was thinking could you make a pilot an Huxley 4. If you would that would be epic I always amagend what would Huxley an pilot would be in the future.so it would be cool to see them as adults an go on another adventere. Hope you read this bye Dan.😀
August 20, 2018 at 10:06 am
Hi dan I love your books. I dressed up as huxley for my book week it was awesome I was thinking could you have a book signing in Melbourne from spencer
September 11, 2018 at 7:35 am
Hi Dan how you doing I love your books I make books for my own I’ve been doing it for a while an I’m really good at drawing I’ve been trying to find pilot an huxley in stores but had no luck but I’ve still read all of them okay I hope you read this from spencer
October 6, 2018 at 11:30 am
Hi Dan I really love your comics and pilot and huxley is just the most greatest thing ever written I make comics with my friends at school and we make copy’s and we give them out it’s called the adventures of Dorito cheeseball and grape I really want to meet you and yeah I think you should come down to Geelong for a author thing anyway love your books bye
March 8, 2019 at 10:58 am
Dude I’ve been waiting for two years come on I really want a answer
August 5, 2020 at 10:55 am
Hi Spencer. Sorry I missed all your messages over the last 2 years. Truth is I don’t really check this website anymore.
Dorito Cheeseball and Grape sounds heaps funny. Hope you are still doing them.
You can’t find Pilot and Huxley because it is out of print. meaning there are no more left and the publisher is not printing anymore 😦
Pilot and Huxley was easily my favourite series I have done and I am thinking of doing a 4th book.
My facebook page would be a better place to message me from now on.
https://www.facebook.com/danmcguinessauthor/
Have a good one, man.
August 16, 2020 at 5:46 am
Thank you 🙏
October 21, 2020 at 11:34 am
Yeah we are still doing dorito cheese all and grape. We’re on the second last one.
We’re trying to end it before we go to high school
October 21, 2020 at 11:35 am
*ball*
October 21, 2020 at 11:36 am