Almond started life and brought up in Felling and Newcastle in post-industrial North East England and educated at the High school of East Anglia, he started life in 1951. He started out as an writer of adult fiction, and his novels appeared in many little magazines, including Iron, Stand, London Magazine, Edinburgh Review. His first short story collection Sleepless Nights, was released by iron Press in 1985). His second, A Kind of Heaven, appeared in 1987. He then created a series of novels which drew on his own childhood, and which would eventually be released as Counting Stars. His second, A Kind of Heaven, appeared in 1987. He then created a series of novels which drew on his own childhood, and which would eventually be released as Counting Stars.
(David Almond photo #2)
These novels led directly to his first children's novel, Skellig , set in Newcastle. This won the Whitbread Children's Novel of the Year Prize and the Carnegie Medal. It has been released in over thirty languages. Skellig has become a radio play ; a stage play ; an opera ; and a movie.
(David Almond photo #3)
His subsequent stories, novels and plays have brought international success and widespread critical acclaim. The stories are Kit's Wilderness , Heaven Eyes , Secret Heart , The Fire Eaters. Clay , Raven Summer and My Name is Mina. He collaborates with leading artists and illustrators, including Polly Dunbar ; Stephen Lambert.
David Almond
