David Donachie is a Scottish novelist, born in Edinburgh in 1944, who specializes in nautical and historical fiction. Donachie left school at the early age of 14 due to boredom, but he had always been fascinated by history. Before becoming a full-time writer, he had a variety of jobs, including truck driving, ice cream vending, salesmanship, and theater jobs. Some of his most memorable experiences include painting Sean Connery's mother's condo and working in the theater alongside notable figures such as Laurence Olivier, Alec Guinness, and Peter Ustinov.
Donachie's writing is heavily influenced by his interest in naval history, particularly from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. He has written numerous bestselling books under his own name and also uses the pseudonyms Tom Connery, Johnny "Two Combs" Howard, and Jack Ludlow. His series include the Privateersman Mysteries, the John Pearce series, and several trilogies. Donachie's writing career took off accidentally when he sat down to write a radio play for a BBC competition and ended up with a 400-page novel instead. Although his first novel was not published, it gave him the confidence to trust his imagination and continue writing.
Donachie's writing journey has not always been smooth sailing. He has had to deal with challenges such as takeovers, changes in management, and personality clashes with publishers. Despite these setbacks, he has published over 40 novels under his own name and his pen names. He is known for his naval fiction, such as the Privateersman Mysteries and the John Pearce series, as well as his historical fiction, such as his trilogies on the Roman Republic and the Normans in 11th Century Italy. Donachie's ideas for his novels come from a variety of sources, including conversations in the pub, news articles, and flashes of inspiration. He is a prolific writer who continues to entertain his readers with his captivating stories.