Crowley, Kieran Mark

Kieran Mark Crowley is from Mallow, Co. Cork. His first book, ‘Colm & the Lazarus Key’ was shortlisted for the Bisto Children's Book of the Year Award 2010, as well as being one of the Irish Times recommended reads for 2009.

To visit Kieran's website, please click the underlined link: Kieran Mark Crowley. INTERVIEW WITH KIERAN:
Q:When did you ‘know’ you were a writer?

A:When I saw Colm and the Lazarus Key sitting on the shelf in my local bookshop.

Q:First book you can remember reading?

A:I wish it was something cool by Roald Dahl, but it was actually one of the Noddy books.

Q:Favourite author?

A:Stephen King, especially around the time of Salem’s Lot and Pet Semetary

Q:Favourite actor/actress?

A:Dustin Hoffman/Michelle Pfeiffer

Q:Favourite film?

A:It changes regularly, but off the top of my head I’d say The Usual Suspects

Q:Favourite saying?

A:I’ll do that in a minute (once I’ve had a cup of tea and watched four hours of television)

Q:Favourite song?

A:Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘1979’

Q:The last book you read?

A:Easy Riders, Raging Bulls by Peter Biskind

Q:Most embarrassing moment?

A:Driving from Cork to my home town of Mallow and getting lost. Twice.

Q:Favourite food/drink?

A:Bacon, cabbage and boiled potatoes with butter and brown sauce followed by a glass of milk. It might not get votes on Masterchef, but it’s the most delicious meal ever.

Q:Favourite TV programme?

A:‘The Wire’ is the best programme I’ve ever seen. Of what’s currently on TV, ‘Flight of the Conchords’.

Q:Favourite TV personality?

A:Stephen Fry

Q:Favourite holiday?

A:Two weeks driving around California and Nevada with some college friends back in the late 90s.

Q:Most desirable date?

A:My girlfriend, but if for some reason she wasn’t available, then Zadie Smith or Winona Ryder

Q:Favourite way of relaxing?

A:A walk on the beach followed by a pub lunch

Q:Who would be the first person A:you would invite to your book launch?

Boris Johnson. He’d antagonise and entertain in equal measures and make for a memorable evening

Q:Who would be the last person you would invite to your book launch?

A:The actor James McAvoy, for reasons I can’t explain

Q:Biggest disappointment?

A:Being told I looked like the Manchester United footballer Paul Scholes

Q:Your concept of heaven?

A:Steven Spielberg ringing to ask permission to adapt my book into a film

Q:Your concept of hell?

A:A power cut while watching Ireland in the World Cup Final

Q:Greatest ambition?

A:To compete in the Olympics. It’s not going to happen, but I still dream of it

Q:Which animal do you think makes the best pet and why?

A:A Bernese Mountain Dog because they’re placid and friendly. When I was younger I had sea monkeys and they were good because they were low maintenance

Q:What are you afraid of?

A:Daggers and cockroaches. A knife-wielding cockroach would be my worst nightmare.

Q:What inspires you?

A:Fear of failure

Q:Humanitys worst invention?

A:The mobile phone

Q:Humanitys best invention?

A:The football

Q:What’s the best thing about ‘Colm & the Lazarus Key’?

A:It’s fun and entertaining. A real page turner. And it’s cheap too. Under a tenner.