Neil Gaiman

With innovative books that span science fiction, mythology and fairy tales, Neil Gaiman has become one of fantasy’s most prominent writers. In addition to bestselling novels and numerous awards – the Hugo and Nebula for science fiction and fantasy, the Bram Stoker Award for dark fantasy and horror, and both the Newbery and Carnegie medals – he has penned graphic novels, short stories and comics. Several of his works have been adapted for screen or stage including Coraline, American Gods, Good Omens and the recent Royal National Theatre production of The Ocean at the End of the Lane. ...

Gaiman was born in Hampshire in 1960 but spent most of his childhood in West Sussex, where his father was a public relations official for the Church of Scientology – a role that saw the young Neil forced to leave his Church of England school. Despite that disruption, he was quick to learn the pleasure of books, reading and re-reading The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia and Alice’s Adventures of Wonderland alongside Batman comics and the work of authors such as Roger Zelanzy. As an adult Gaiman met his first wife while she was studying Scientology but distanced himself from his family’s religion, declaring in an interview that the existence of God didn’t really matter to him.

In his early 20s Gaiman embarked on a career in journalism, but it was only ever a means to an end – a way to learn about the publishing world and make connections. His articles for the British Fantasy Society were followed, somewhat surprisingly, by a biography of Duran Duran, then a companion guide to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and a collaboration with Terry Pratchett on Good Omens. By then, his Sandman graphic novels were gaining a cult following and his prolific fiction career was well underway. With books characterized by imaginative premises and complex themes, woven together with lifelike characters and darkly evocative prose, he has received the accolade of being listed in the Dictionary of Literary Biography as ‘one of the top ten living post-modern writers’.