Eoin Colfer

"Confidence is ignorance. If you're feeling cocky, it's because there's something you don't know"

Eoin Colfer (pronounced Owen) was born in Wexford on the South-East coast of Ireland in 1965, where he and his four brothers were brought up by his father (an elementary school teacher, historian and artist of note) and mother (a drama teacher). He first developed an interest in writing in primary (elementary) school with gripping Viking stories inspired by history he was learning in school at the time!

After leaving school he got his degree from Dublin university and qualified as a primary school teacher, returning to work in Wexford. He married in 1991 and he and his wife spent about 4 years between 1992 and 1996 working in Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Italy. His first book, Benny and Omar, was published in 1998, based on his experiences in Tunisia; it has since been translated into many languages. A sequel followed in 1999, followed by some other books (see below). Then in 2001 the first Artemis Fowl book was published and he was able to resign from teaching and concentrate fully on writing.

He says, "I will keep writing until people stop reading or I run out of ideas. Hopefully neither of these will happen anytime soon." He lives in Ireland with his wife and two children.

What genres does Eoin Colfer write in?

He primarily writes children's and young adult fiction, especially fantasy and adventure with strong elements of humor and imaginative plotting. He also publishes standalone novels that appeal to older readers.

What is the recommended reading order for the Artemis Fowl series?

Read the series in publication order: Artemis Fowl (Book 1), The Arctic Incident (Book 2), The Eternity Code (Book 3), Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception (Book 4), Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony (Book 5), Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox (Book 6), Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex (Book 7), Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian (Book 8).

Where should a new reader start with his books?

New readers often start with Artemis Fowl (Book 1) since it is his best known series. If you prefer a single-volume entry, try one of his standalone titles such as Benny and Omar, Plugged, Highfire, or Imaginary Fred depending on your age and interests.

Are there spin-offs or related series to Artemis Fowl?

Yes. The Fowl Twins series continues stories set around the Fowl family and serves as a follow-on to the original Artemis Fowl books.

Has his work been widely recognized or translated?

Yes. His debut novel was translated into multiple languages and the success of Artemis Fowl enabled him to become a full-time writer. For specific awards or honors, consult individual book listings or publisher information.