[3] After a period working for the Australian government, he traveled in Europe before returning to Australia in 1983 and undertaking a BA in professional writing at University of Canberra.

[4] In addition to his work as a fantasy novelist, Nix has written a number of scenarios and articles for the role playing field, including those for Dungeons & Dragons and Traveller.

He has also written case studies, articles and news items in the information technology field, his work appearing in publications such as Computerworld and PC World.

[4] Nix currently lives in Sydney with his wife Anna McFarlane, a publisher,[5] and their sons Thomas and Edward.

Described as books for "Very Clever Babies Aged 3–6 Months", they contain such words as ichthyologist, as used by the character Freddy the Fish.