Val McDermid

United Kingdom

Profile Information:

About Me:
My first crime novel, featuring the lesbian detective Lindsay Gordon, was published in 1987 and I've been a full-time writer since I gave up my day job running the Northern Bureau of a national Sunday newspaper in 1991. I was born and raised in a mining community in Fife, Scotland, and I bucked the odds by making it to Oxford University. I was at school with our current Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and we remain connected through our involvement with our local football club, Raith Rovers. I became a writer because I was a reader and loved the idea of being paid money for making stuff up. I've published 20-some novels so far -- six featuring Lindsay Gordon, six featuring Manchester-based PI Kate Brannigan, and five featuring forensic psychologist and profiler Tony Hill and police officer Carol Jordan. I've also written several standalones. The Hill & Jordan novels have been made into the successful TV series Wire In The Blood which airs in 28 countries. My books are translated into 37 languages at the last count and I've won a clutch of awards including the Gold Dagger, the Anthony, the LA TImes Book Award, the Stonewall Writer of the Year, the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year and the Icons of Scotland award. I divide my time between the city (Manchester) and the seaside (A small village in Northumberland). My wife is American and according to my son, she is the best stepmother in the world. We also have two imaginary dogs, Rita and Dolores who love to run on the beach.
I Am A:
Writer
Website:
http://www.valmcdermid.com
Books And Authors I Like:
Too many authors, too little space.
So I'll confine myself to writers I have discovered in the last couple of years.
Allan Guthrie
Stuart MacBride
Peter Temple
Louise Anderson
Caro Ramsay.

Comment Wall:

Load Previous Comments

  • helen black

    Love what you said about being apid for making stuff up!!
    I'm new to this game and still can't quite believe I'm getting real money for doing what I used to geta slap for as a kid.
    HB x

    Jan 18, 2008

  • Lindy Cameron

    Hi Val
    We must stop meeting in these strange out of the way places.
    L

    Jan 25, 2008

  • Ian Gosling

    Hi Val

    I am agreat fan of your books, particularly Hill & Jordan. As a new writer struggling to get notice I would love it if you could find time to have a look at my first novel The Puppet Master and give me some feedback. Ian

    Feb 9, 2008