Anthony Horowitz is a prolific English novelist and screenwriter whose works include The Groosham Grange series, The Diamond Brothers series, The Power of Five series and The Alex Rider series which were all written for the young adult market. His adult works include novels based upon the works of Ian Fleming (James Bond) and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes) he received official endorsements to write those works by the estates of both writers, a testament to his skill and reputation.
He has also written for television, contributing scripts to ITV’s Agatha Christie’s Poirot and Midsomer Murders. He was the creator and writer of the ITV series Foyle’s War, Collision and Injustice.
Finally, another testament to his impact and ability as a writer he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to literature.
You can purchase some of the most popular books on Amazon by this author by clicking here, here and here.
Now that I’ve Introduced the man himself here’s my Interview:
Tell me a little more about what you enjoy reading, and are there any authors that you like to read?
My first love was Tintin at school. Then I discovered Sherlock Holmes and the James Bond books as a teenager. My other passion is for the classics like Dickens and Austen. Recently, I’ve enjoyed Conclave by Robert Harris and Kolymsky Heights by Lionel Davidson.
What attracted you to writing in the first place?
As a young boy, my parents sent me to a horrible boarding school. I realised that stories were a way to escape and in my dorm of eight boys, would write and tell stories to entertain everyone. Story and imagination can make anything happen and take you anywhere you want to go.
Did you have any idea that your books would be as successful as they were?
I am still just as nervous delivering a manuscript to my publishers now as I was when I handed in my first. However I did get a feeling when I wrote the first line of Stormbreaker, the first Alex Rider, that it was something special.
So after a few years working in the creative Industry do you have any tips for newcomers?
Believe in yourself; the only writers who fail are the ones who give up.
Do you have any rules for writing which have served you well?
It’s easier to write about what you know and real experiences, so my advice is usually to get out and live as much as possible as there are stories everywhere.
What in your opinion is the most important thing in your books?
The sense of fun and adventure – I want my books to entertain readers.
How much research do you do in preparation for writing a novel?
It changes depending on the novel, but it’s always a lot. I have been to every place in my novels (except for space!) and am always careful to make sure they are grounded in reality.
Which of your own novels is your favourite and why?
Stormbreaker, as it is the first of the Alex Rider books and was the beginning of the 15 year journey I had writing about him.
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