David Almond

As a child

I grew up in a large Catholic family in Felling-on-Tyne: four sisters and one brother. I always knew I'd be a writer – I wrote stories and stitched them into little books. I had an uncle who was a printer, and in his printing shop I learned my love of black words on white pages. I loved our local library and dreamed of seeing books with my name on the cover on its shelves. I also dreamed of playing for Newcastle United (and I still wait for the call!). There was much joy in my childhood, but also much sadness: a baby sister died when I was 7; my dad died when we were all still young; my mum was always seriously ill with arthritis. But it was a childhood, like all childhoods, that provided everything a writer needs, and it illuminates and informs everything I write.

As an adult

After school, I went to UEA and did a degree in English and American Literature. When I graduated I became a teacher. I’ve taught in primary schools, schools for children with special needs, adult literacy centres and universities. I’ve also been a brush salesman, a labourer, a postman, a hotel porter and a tank cleaner. I lived in a commune in rural Norfolk for a year. The first novel I wrote (for adults) was rejected by every UK publisher. I had two collections of short stories published by the tiny IRON Press. I started another adult novel, put it aside, and suddenly, out of the blue, I found myself writing Skellig. It was as if the story had been waiting for me, and once I began, it seemed to write itself. I hadn't expected to write a children's novel, but in some way it was the natural outcome of everything I'd done before, and was the stepping-stone to everything I've done since. I now live in Newcastle and in Bath, where I’m a part-time Professor of Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. I have one amazing daughter.

As an artisit

For years, I was hardly published and hardly anyone knew about me apart from a handful of keen fans. And I made just about no money at all from writing. That didn't really matter to me. I'd keep on writing, no matter what. Then I wrote Skellig and everything changed. I’ve gone on to write many more novels, stories, picture books, plays, songs and opera librettos. My work is translated into 40 languages and is widely adapted for stage and screen. I’ve won some of the world’s major literary prizes, including the Carnegie Medal, the Michael L Printz Award and le Prix Sorcieres. In 2010, I received the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the world’s most prestigious award for children’s authors. The important thing, of course, is simply to keep on writing, which is what I do.

Things you didn't know about David Almond

1. I once held the school high-jump record – 5 ft 2.5 inches.
2. I have a pet rabbit called Bill who can grunt.
3. I dream about football – and kick in my sleep!
4. I love Japanese food – except for the thing I was given once that looked like an alien's brain.
5. I've taken part in three Great North Runs (half-marathons).
6. My favourite place is Upper Swaledale in Yorkshire.
7. I love bikes, camping and fires.
8. My first TV appearance was as an altar boy in a televised mass when I was eleven.
9. My grandfather was a bookie (he took bets on horse races). His advice? "Never bet." He also told me, "Never read novels. They're all just lies."
10. My nickname at school was Dai, and several old friends still call me that.

More about David:

Website links: