<p>The children’s author says he was abused as a child as he begins seven-month sentence for possessing depraved material</p><ul><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>The disgraced best-selling author Craig Silvey has revealed he was abused as a child in a 9,000-word apology published after he was jailed for child exploitation offences.</p><p>The young adult novelist <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/nov/02/australian-author-craig-silvey-jailed-child-exploitation-material-ntwnfb">was sentenced on Monday</a> to seven months’ imprisonment, after being charged in January and subsequently pleading guilty to distributing and possessing depraved child exploitation material.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/nov/03/i-am-deeply-sorry-craig-silvey-pens-9000-word-apology-child-porn-offences-ntwnfb">Continue reading...</a>