Gary Paulsen (born May 17, 1939) is a prolific American writer, who writes many young adult coming of age stories about the wilderness.
Born on in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Paulsen is the prolific author of more than 40 books, 200 magazine articles and short stories, and several plays; primarily for young adults. Paulsen's interests in books and reading began when he was a teenager and walked into a library to escape the cold Minnesota winter. Reading helped Paulsen cope with a difficult family situation then and remains a constant in his life today.
Since the age of 15, Paulsen has worked at many jobs in an effort to support himself: migrant worker, soldier, field engineer, truck driver, and magazine editor. Paulsen used his work as a magazine editor to learn the craft of writing. In 1966, his first book was published, The Special War. Using his varied life experiences, but especially those of an outdoorsman -- a hunter, trapper, and two-time competitor in the 1,049 mile Iditarod dog sled race, Paulsen writes about what he knows best.
Much of Paulsen's work features outdoor settings showing the importance of water and woods to the harmony of nature. He often uses a coming of age theme, where a character masters the art of survival in isolation as a rite of passage to manhood.
Paulsen's most famous books are probably the Hatchet series, although he has published many other popular adventure novels including The Transall Saga and The Winter Room. Hatchet, Dogsong, and The Winter Room won the Newbery Honor. Wintersong and Winterdance are among the most popular books about the Iditarod.
Paulsen competed in the 1983 and 1985 Iditarods. In 2005, he was scheduled to compete in the 33rd Iditarod after a 20-year absence, but withdrew shortly before the start of the race.
Paulsen lives in La Luz, New Mexico with his wife, Ruth, an artist.
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