Terry Pratchett

Sir Terence David John Pratchett, more commonly known as Terry Pratchett, is an English novelist, known for his frequently comical work in the fantasy genre. He is best known for his popular and long-running Discworld series of comic fantasy novels. Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971, and since his first Discworld novel (The Color of Magic) was published in 1983, he has written two books a year on average.

The new Discworld novel is Snuff.

From Pratchett's Q & A with the Independent:

Choose a favourite author and say why you admire her/him

A favourite since my teens has been the late Paul Jennings, who used to have a slot in the 'Observer'. I think I admire him because of the curious lopsided but delightful way he looked at the world.
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What fictional character most resembles you?

James Dixon as in 'Lucky Jim' by Kingsley Amis. Failing that, Rincewind [from Discworld].
* * *

Who is your hero/heroine from outside literature?

Kneejerk? Nelson Mandela. But I like the guys who change the world from their sheds, like James Dyson and Clive Sinclair.

Read the complete Q & A.

--Marshal Zeringue