Eoin Colfer is a critically acclaimed author, best known for his works in science fiction, fantasy, adventure, and children's books. Colfer was born on May 14, 1965, in Wexford, a town on the South East coast of Ireland. He was brought up by his father, an artist, elementary school teacher, and historian, and his mother, a drama teacher and stage writer. Colfer's family encouraged his artistic interests and writing from a young age. As a child, he developed an interest in writing, composing Viking stories based on his history lessons at school. His first work of writing was a class play called "Norse Gods."
After completing his education, Colfer became a primary school teacher, a profession that enabled him to continue developing his craft as a writer. He has lived and worked all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Italy. Colfer's teaching experience significantly influenced his writing, as he drew inspiration from his interactions with children and the issues they faced. In 1998, he published his first book, "Benny and Omar," based on his experiences in Tunisia. The book was a success and has since been translated into many languages.
Colfer's big break came in 2001 with the publication of the first Artemis Fowl book, a series that would become a global phenomenon. The series follows the adventures of Artemis Fowl, a teenage criminal mastermind, and his encounters with various magical creatures. The books were a critical and commercial success, selling over 12 million copies worldwide. Colfer's success with the Artemis Fowl series allowed him to retire from teaching and focus on writing full-time.
In addition to the Artemis Fowl series, Colfer has written several other notable works. He was asked by Douglas Adams' widow to write a sixth book in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, "And Another Thing..." which was published in 2009. Colfer has also written several other children's books, including "Airman," "Half Moon Investigations," and "The Supernaturalist." His work has been translated into over 40 languages, and he has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to children's literature. Colfer continues to write and publish books, with his latest work being "Illegal," a graphic novel published in 2017. He currently lives in Ireland with his wife and two children.