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Charlie Higson is a well-known writer of screenplays and novels, including the phenomenally successful Young Bond series. He is also a performer and co-creator of 'The Fast Show' and Radio Four's award-winning 'Down the Line' series - recently made into a popular BBC2 sketch show, 'Bellamy's People'. Charlie is a big fan of horror films and is now hoping to give a great many children sleepless nights with his The Enemy series.
The Young Bond books have, to date, sold over a million copies in the UK and been translated into 24 different languages. The Young Bond titles are included in a recent list of books complied by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the School Libraries Association to encourage school boys to read (www.boysintobooks.co.uk).
After studying at the University of East Anglia, Charlie formed a band, The Higsons. He then became a decorator before turning to the world of television and going into partnership with his friend Paul Whitehouse. Their successes included 'Saturday Live', the 'Harry Enfield Television Programme', 'The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer', 'Shooting Stars', 'Randall and Hopkirk, Deceased', the film 'Suite 16', 'Swiss Toni' and 'The Fast Show'.
Most recently Charlie and Paul co-produced, and performed in, the controversial and award-winning spoof radio series Down the Line for BBC Radio 4. This later became the television comedy series Bellamy’s People, on BBC 2, inspired by the Radio series.
Charlie is also a successful adult novelist and has written four thrillers, King of the Ants (1992), Happy Now (1993), Full Whack (1995) and Getting Rid of Mr Kitchen (1996).
Charlie lives in London with his wife and three sons.
Questions for Charlie Higson:
What was your inspiration for The Enemy?
George Romero’s early zombie films – Night of the Living Dead & Dawn of the Dead mostly. But there are bits of Lord of the Rings, fairy tales and the tales of the Greek heroes.
Which character was the most fun to write?
Small Sam and the Kid. They’re a good double act.
Are any of your characters based on real people?
I use my own kids and their friends for inspiration, but there is no one character
that is based on one particular person.
What was the last film that blew you away?
Pan’s Labyrinth was amazing. Special effects and fantasy are used for more than just pretty pictures.
Who would you choose to be if you could be a celebrity for the day?
That idea is just too scary to contemplate. My God, imagine !
Click here to read more Charlie Higson Q&A.
Charlie Higson loves what could be THE debut of 2011, Undead by Kirsty McKay: 'A kick-ass teen-action zombie-fest. Fast, furious, freaky, funny and seriously sick. Oh, and did I mention it kicks ass ?'
Author photo: Andy Paradise
Not since Adrian Mole opened his diary have the thoughts and innermost feelings of an adolescent boy been examined so precisely or with such heart. Stan is twelve, shy and a worrier, so the thought of a holiday in Italy with his friend Felix and Felix’s family freaks him out. He’s going though: we meet him at the airport drawing up a ‘duck-it’ list of things he hopes he’ll never have to do. Little does he know that he’ll tick off six out of ten of them on his holiday, and enjoy it too. The first-person narrative lets us in on all Stan’s thoughts, but he’s a good observer of others so we learn loads about the others in the holiday party too, kids and grown-ups. There are laugh-out-loud scenes and moments of pure agony, and through it all Stan is learning loads about himself and life in general. Honest, revealing, compassionate and so entertaining, this is a must read for all the Stans out there – adults, give yourselves a treat and read it too.
A limited edition hardback of the final book in The Enemy series. A thrilling story of survival against the odds in a world in which adults have been killed or brain-crazed leaving only children under fourteen and with no one to look after them. How a bunch of children survive as they travel across the dangerous city trying to find a safe place is thrilling; how they survive the terrifying zombies is spine chilling. A message from the Publisher: The Enemy is a chilling series of books which will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. It is set in an eerie, modern-day London after a mystery illness attacks everyone over the age of fourteen. Those afflicted either die or become so crazed by disease they are little more than wild animals. Gangs of kids are left to fend for themselves, dodging the zombie adults who remain. From the author who brought you the bestselling Young Bond series, this sensational new book about an epic fight for survival will keep readers hooked from page one.
Best-selling Charlie Higson’s sixth title in the ‘The Enemy’ series is as thrilling and chilling as its predecessors. In a world in which everyone over fourteen is struck down by a hideous illness which ravages their bodies and turns them into frenzied, blood craving zombies, a group of children must do everything they can to survive. With the cities in ruins and full of hidden dangers, Ella believes what she is told – that the countryside is safer. But is it? Ed knows that Ella is in the greatest danger. She may not even be alive. Can he gather together a crew willing to set out on a mission to save her? And will they succeed?
April 2014 Book of the Month Best-selling Charlie Higson continues his gripping zombie series which began with The Enemy. The Holloway Crew, weakened but still functioning, have now travelled across London and reached the Natural History Museum. Despite their failing powers, they are determined to fight for as long as it takes to hunt down the Enemy. But the kids in the museum are looking for a completely different answer. Will they find it in time?
Best-selling Charlie Higson continues his gripping zombie series which began with The Enemy. The Holloway Crew, weakened but still functioning, have now travelled across London and reached the Natural History Museum. Despite their failing powers, they are determined to fight for as long as it takes to hunt down the Enemy. But the kids in the museum are looking for a completely different answer. Will they find it in time?
April 2013 Book of the Month There aren't many authors who are able to conjure up fear and terror in the way Charlie Higson does so brilliantly in his series The Enemy of which The Sacrifice is the fourth. His brilliantly imagined dystopian world is a non-stop action-packed page turner. Get ready for a white knuckle ride more terrifying than ever.
April 2013 Book of the Month. There aren't many authors who are able to conjure up fear and terror in the way Charlie Higson does so brilliantly in his series The Enemy of which The Sacrifice is the fourth. His brilliantly imagined dystopian world is a non-stop action-packed page turner. Get ready for a white knuckle ride more terrifying than ever.
April 2012 Book of the Month. Best-selling author Charlie Higson has created a chilling world in his thrilling Zombie series. Not only have all the adults – older siblings and parents – lost their minds and become hopeless has-beens but there is the horrific danger of the Collector. How can the children survive in their broken world and, in particular, how can they keep themselves safe from the child-seeking Collector? A tense story about survival against the odds, The Fear, the third in the Enemy series, is devilishly creepy and seriously spine tingling. A delight for all those who like to be seriously scared.
Best-selling author Charlie Higson has created a chilling world in his thrilling Zombie series. Not only have all the adults – older siblings and parents – lost their minds and become hopeless has-beens but there is the horrific danger of the Collector. How can the children survive in their broken world and, in particular, how can they keep themselves safe from the child-seeking Collector? A tense story about survival against the odds, The Fear, the third in the series, is devilishly creepy and seriously spine tingling. A delight for all those who like to be seriously scared.
Shortlisted for the Independent Booksellers Book Award 2011 Charlie Higson packs a punch with the second in his gripping adventure series set in a dystopian future in which adults have ceased to be protectors. England has been struck by a deadly disease which takes out young people as soon as they turn fourteen. Just occasionally a few survive; they are even more terrifying as they become zombies greedy for human flesh. As the world implodes buildings are destroyed and there is no food to be had. Contagion is every where. And yet, the children must survive. Jack and Ed take up the burden of leadership but they are really only kids and the responsibility for the survival of the growing group of children under their care is enormous. Against this challenging setting Charlie Higson has created a story which shows the power of friendship and courage in extreme circumstances. Charlie Higson loves what could be THE debut of 2011, Undead by Kirsty McKay: 'A kick-ass teen-action zombie-fest. Fast, furious, freaky, funny and seriously sick. Oh, and did I mention it kicks ass ?'
Charlie Higson packs a punch with the second in his gripping adventure series set in a dystopian future in which adults have ceased to be protectors. England has been struck by a deadly disease which takes out young people as soon as they turn fourteen. Just occasionally a few survive; they are even more terrifying as they become zombies greedy for human flesh. As the world implodes buildings are destroyed and there is no food to be had. Contagion is every where. And yet, the children must survive. Jack and Ed take up the burden of leadership but they are really only kids and the responsibility for the survival of the growing group of children under their care is enormous. Against this challenging setting Charlie Higson has created a story which shows the power of friendship and courage in extreme circumstances.
