Eoin Colfer

Eoin Colfer (pronounced Owen) was born in Wexford on the South-East coast of Ireland in 1965, where he and his four brothers were brought up by his father (an elementary school teacher, historian and artist of note) and mother (a drama teacher). He first developed an interest in writing in primary (elementary) school with gripping Viking stories inspired by history he was learning in school at the time!

Colfer began his career as a primary school teacher after earning his degree from Dublin University. He and his wife spent four years (1992–1996) working abroad in Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Italy. His first book, "Benny and Omar" (1998), drew inspiration from his time in Tunisia and has since been translated into numerous languages. A sequel followed in 1999, paving the way for his breakout success with "Artemis Fowl" in 2001. Following the massive success of the series, Colfer left teaching to focus entirely on writing.

The "Artemis Fowl" series, which has sold over 25 million copies and been translated into 40 languages, remains a cornerstone of his career. The series was named the public’s favorite Puffin Modern Classic of all time and expanded to include eight novels, several companion books, and a 2019 spin-off trilogy, "The Fowl Twins." This new trilogy, featuring Artemis's younger brothers Myles and Beckett, has been widely praised for its thrilling adventures and sharp humor. In 2020, Walt Disney Studios released an "Artemis Fowl" movie adaptation on Disney+, directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh and starring Ferdia Shaw, Lara McDonnell, Josh Gad, and Dame Judi Dench.

Colfer’s body of work includes "The Wish List," "The Supernaturalist," the "Legends" series, and "Half Moon Investigations," the latter adapted into a successful BBC television series. His WARP series and crime novels featuring Irish bouncer Daniel McEvoy further showcase his versatility. He was also entrusted by the Douglas Adams estate to write "And Another Thing…" (2009), the final installment in "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy" series.

His collaborations have garnered critical acclaim, including the picture book "Imaginary Fred" with Oliver Jeffers and the graphic novel "Illegal" with Andrew Donkin and Giovanni Rigano. His recent works, "Global" (2021), addressing the climate crisis, and "Beanie and the Banshee" (2024), a folklore-inspired story co-written with Steve McCarthy, have continued to cement his reputation as a master storyteller.

For adult readers, Colfer's "Highfire" (2020) introduced a new fantasy world featuring a vodka-drinking, Flashdance-loving dragon in a Louisiana bayou. H remains a celebrated figure in literature, continuing to delight readers across all ages.

A former Children’s Laureate of Ireland, Colfer proudly keeps his laureate medal close at all times—even in the bath.