James Patterson is a famous American writer of the detective and thriller genres. According to Forbes magazine, he is one of the best-selling authors in the world. In 2010, he entered the Guinness Book of Records as the first novelist to sell over a million e-books.
Patterson was advertising manager for many years and then head of advertising for J. Walter Thompson. His first book was published in 1976 and immediately became a bestseller. In 1996, he retired from the company and devoted himself entirely to literary creation.
Patterson believes that there is no such person who does not like to read, there are only people who have not found their book.
Biography facts
James was born in the spring of 1947 in the US state of New York. He was born into the family of a teacher and an insurance agent.
After completing his primary education, he entered Manhattan College, graduating with a BA in English Language and Literature. Then he continued his studies at Vanderbilt University. He graduated with honors and received a master's degree. Later, at the same university, Patterson defended his dissertation and became a candidate of philosophical sciences.
After graduation, Patterson was promoted to a manager at an advertising agency and later became a department head. He began to write during the period of cooperation with the company. Until 1996, he combined literary creativity with work.
Literary career
Patterson did not immediately become a famous writer. For a long time, his first novel was refused to be published. He sent the manuscript to dozens of publishers, but invariably received a negative response.
Everything changed in 1976. Patterson nevertheless found publishers who decided to release his first novel, Thomas Barriman's Number. Interestingly, James himself designed the sketch for the cover and ran the advertising campaign with his own money. His investment soon paid off completely.
After the book hit the shelves, it instantly became a bestseller. Patterson received his first Edgar Award for Literature (Edgar Allan Poe Award).
Over the years, Patterson has published several dozen novels, most of which have become bestsellers, and the circulation of books has exceeded three hundred million copies.
Patterson became widely known after a series of books, the main character of which was Inspector Alex Cross. To date, the works from this series are the best-selling in the world.
Detective Michael Bennett became the main character in another series of his novels. Eleven books of the writer are united in the series “Women's Club of Murder Investigations”. Also, Patterson has a number of works that were not included in any series.
In addition to writing novels, Patterson is involved in charity and educational activities. He became the founder of his own literary award and personal scholarship, awarded to students from many educational institutions in America. More than seventy million dollars Patterson allocated to support teachers and education in general.
Several films were made based on Patterson's works, in particular the thriller "And the Spider Came", where the main role of Inspector Alex Cross was played by Morgan Freeman.
Awards and awards
- Winner of the Innovation in Reading Prize of the National Book Fund.
- Winner of the Teens Top Ten Award of the American Library Association.
- Nominated for the Teen Choice Book of the Year Award.
- Repeated winner of the "Author of the Year" award.
- Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards nominee.
- Winner of the Association's Young Adults' Choices Booklist Award.
- Recipient of the 2015 National Book Foundation Literary Award for Distinguished Service to the American Literary Society.
- Winner of the Edgar Award and six Emmy Awards.
Personal life
Patterson got married in 1997. Susan Laurie Soli became his chosen one. They have a son, James.
The family has lived in Palm Beach County, Florida since 2004.
