Born in Bracebridge, Ontario, Martin Avery studied at the University of Victoria, Banff Centre School of Fine Arts, York University New College Writers Workshop, Vermont College of Norwhich University (USA), the University of Toronto, Herstmonceux Castle of Queen' University (England), and the Stratford Campus of UT/OISE, earning a Hons. B.A., B.Ed., Hons. Spec. English, M.F.A. In Writing, A.Q. Drama.
He has taught Creative Writing for York University, Georgian College Centauri Arts Retreat, Bridgewater Arts Retreat, TWUC's Writers In The Schools Program, and the WCDR. For two decades, he was a full-time teacher at secondary schools in Ontario -- teaching Writers Craft, English, and Drama -- and was Arts Department Head at a small school in Muskoka. In 2004/2005 he was the first Writer In Residence for the Bracebridge Public Library and is now the Writer In Residence for the Pickering Public Library in Ontario.