Ken Follett

Ken Follett is a highly successful Welsh author, best known for his historical and thriller novels. Born in Cardiff, Wales on June 5, 1949, Follett started his career as a reporter for his hometown newspaper, the South Wales Echo, before moving on to the London Evening News. He later worked in publishing, becoming Deputy Managing Director of a small London publishing house, Everest Books. Follett began writing on the side as a hobby, using various pen names to publish his work. His first major success came with the publication of "Eye of the Needle" in 1978, which earned him the 1979 Edgar Award for Best Novel from the Mystery Writers of America.

Follett's books have sold over 100 million copies and have been translated into over 33 languages. His writing career has spanned over four decades, and he has written over 36 books, many of which have become international bestsellers. His most popular works include "Eye of the Needle," "The Pillars of the Earth," and "World Without End." "The Pillars of the Earth," published in 1989, was a number one bestseller and was turned into a major television series produced by Ridley Scott. The sequel, "World Without End," was published in 2007 and was equally popular. Follett's latest book, "The Evening and the Morning," will be published in September 2020 and is a prequel to "The Pillars of the Earth," set around the year 1000.

In addition to his successful writing career, Follett has been active in numerous literacy charities and was the president of Dyslexia Action for ten years. He was also the chair of the National Year of Reading, a joint initiative between government and businesses. Follett is also involved in various charities in Stevenage, where he resides, and is the President of the Stevenage Community Trust and Patron of Home-Start Hertfordshire. He is an enthusiastic bass guitar player and lives in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, with his wife Barbara, a former Labour Member of Parliament for Stevenage. Together they have five children, six grandchildren, and two Labradors.