James Patterson

James Patterson is an internationally renowned author who has sold millions of books worldwide. He is best known for his prolific writing in many sub-genres, including crime, mystery, suspense and thriller fiction. He has released over eighty novels and has written books under a variety of pen names, including the popular middle-grade series "Maximum Ride." He is a two-time recipient of the Edgar Award for best novel, three-time winner of the Children's Choice Book Award for "Favorite Book of the Year," and seven-time New York Times best seller.

James Patterson was born in Newburgh, New York in 1947 and raised in nearby Mohegan Lake. After spending two years studying at Manhattan College, he quit college to take a sales job at an advertising agency. After selling several novels, he quit this job and devoted himself to writing full-time. As a prolific author and publisher, Patterson has sold over 300 million copies of his works in print, making him one of the world’s most successful novelists.

Patterson’s first novel, "The Thomas Berryman Number," was published in 1976 and won an Edgar Award the following year. Since then, he has published over eighty novels in the genres of crime, mystery, suspense and thriller. The great majority of these books feature a recurring protagonist, such as psychologist Alex Cross, NYPD detectives Michael Bennett, Women’s Murder Club series and Women’s Murder Club, and the FBI’s top criminal profiler, Lindsay Boxer.

In addition to his crime fiction, Patterson also writes stories that are aimed at young readers, such as his middle-grade series "Maximum Ride" and its spinoffs "Daniel X" and "The Witch and Wizard." He has also released several children’s books, including "Precious” and the “Confessions 10–13" series, the Middle School and I Funny book series, and Treasure Hunters.

To broaden the readership of his books, Patterson co-founds the literary imprints Little, Brown and Company (199) and Grand Central Publishing (2005). He also launches 2-Minute X-Pres, a pioneer of audiobook technology and launches Bookshots, a line of short, fast-paced paperback books.

Patterson also promotes literacy through his charitable organization, ReadKiddoRead, which encourages parents to read to their children, provides resources and tips for other authors, and publishes children’s reviews on its website. He has also funded several literacy projects, donated more than half a million books to military members and their families, and given over $6 million to independent bookstores.

The author has won numerous awards including the Edgar Award, the Children's Choice Book Award, the Grand Humour Award, and has been inducted into the National Literary Hall of Fame. His works have been adapted into movies and television series which have been enjoyed globally.

James Patterson is an accomplished author who has sold millions of copies of his books worldwide. His works span a wide range of genres and his writing has been praised for its page-turning suspense and inventive plots. His charitable works and support for literacy initiatives make him an admirable force for good in the literary world.