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Tony Bradman

Tony Bradman was born in south London, where he grew up and went to school. After leaving Cambridge University, he became a journalist and worked in the pop music press for several years.

In 1980, he launched the Parents children's book review pages, breaking new ground in the coverage of children's books in a national magazine. He has done much to promote children's books generally and was the leading force behind the Book Marketing Council's Best Books for Babies Campaign and the instigator of the annual Parents magazine £1000 Baby Book Award.

Tony's first book was published in 1984 and, in 1987, he became a full-time author of both children's and adult's books. He has written fiction, poetry and edited a number of highly successful anthologies, and continues to write about and review children's books, mostly for The Daily Telegraph. As a life-long Beatles and John Lennon fan, he has also written a profile of the singer for children. Tony has also written a special story, Project Nemesis, for the Puffin Internet site. Visit the Bathroom in the Puffin House where he has posted the story for you to continue.

Tony Bradman lives in Beckenham with his wife, three children and a juvenile delinquent cat called Rufus.

PLACE AND DATE OF BIRTH:
London 22 January 1954

FAVOURITE BOOK:
At the moment: Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff

MOST TREASURED POSSESSION:
One or two of my fan letters... I keep them all!

FAVOURITE SONG:
At the moment: 'In my life' by the Beatles

FAVOURITE FILM:
Aliens

When did you start writing?
Er... I don't remember. All I know is that I've been writing ever since I was very young, and I couldn't imagine not doing it. My first published books were written when I was in my late twenties or early thirties (like One Nil and Smile, Please!). I was old enough to be a dad by then, and I was reading lots of children's books to my kids. That's when I realized I wanted to write for children - the toughest, best, and most appreciative audience of all...

Where do you get your ideas?
From everywhere - my past, my present, from people I've known and know today, from TV, papers, books, films, from kids I meet on school visits, things I overhear on buses and trains... and from deep within my strange subconscious (all writers are barmy!).

Can you give your top three tips to becoming a successful author?
1. Read lots.
2. Write lots.
3. And don't give up!

Favourite memory?
1. Going round and round on a roller coaster with my daughters Emma and Helen at Busch Gardens, Florida, February 1991.
2. Having five gos on the Jurassic Park Ride with my daughter Helen and son Tom at Universal Studios, Los Angeles, August 1996.
3. Any time spent with my wife, anywhere, July 1975 to date...

Favourite place in the world and why?
1. The kitchen of my house when the five of us are all together (me, Sally, Emma, Helen, Tom) and not arguing!
2. San Francisco - the most beautiful city in the Solar System.

What are your hobbies?
Er... reading, going to the cinema, reading, watching sport, going to the cinema, reading and cooking. Oh, yes, and going to the cinema and reading.

If you hadn't been a writer, what do you think you would have been?
Very sad.