The Times already ranks Joe Craig alongside Anthony Horowitz, Charlie Higson and Robert Muchamore as one of "the best spy-kids authors... outstanding at both writing and plotting."
Fans all over the world agree. His first book was one of the biggest selling children's book debuts of 2005 in the UK, and since then his 'Jimmy Coates' novels have become a hit with young action-thriller addicts everywhere, winning awards and inspiring 8-13 year-olds to become keen readers:
"Few books have the power to drag boys away from their Xbox or Wii, but I've seen the Jimmy Coates series in action - Super Mario is no match for this schoolboy assassin." (The Independent, 50 Best Summer Reads)
"Joe Craig could be well justified as being compared to the great Anthony Horowitz." (Lovereading4kids.com)
Craig (born 30 June 1981 in London) is a novelist, screenwriter and musician, best known for the Jimmy Coates series of books, described in several reviews as 'The Bourne Identity for kids'.
Joe Craig studied Philosophy at Cambridge University then became a songwriter, winning numerous awards for his compositions before unexpectedly turning to writing books. When he's not writing he's visiting schools, playing the piano, drawing, inventing snacks, playing snooker, cricket and football, watching a movie, reading, training in martial arts or trying to control his pets.
His first album, entitled 'The Songman & Me, vol. 1' was released in December 2010.
Craig is consistently at the forefront of use of new media by children's writers. In 2005 he was one of the first authors to use Facebook to build a fanbase and enhance fans' experience of his writing, using character profiles as well as his personal pages to create an online world that reflected that of his books.
He was also one of the first children's writers to utilise Twitter as a means of communicating with fans and creating new stories. He continues to use both, as well as experimenting with new kinds of author videos and book trailers on video sites, such as youtube.
He lives in London with his wife and pets: a dog called Harpo and a dwarf crocodile called Professor Sven.
He keeps in touch with his readers through his website (www.joecraig.co.uk), facebook (www.facebook.com/jcpages.joecraig), twitter (www.twitter.com/joecraiguk) and band page (http://joecraig.bandcamp.com)
