So why did you decide to get involved with the National Literacy Trust?
"As a writer, and also as a father, I thought it'd be a great way to really encourage kids to discover a love of reading. I’ve been actively involved in getting kids to enjoy books in America and it’s great to be able to help bring this to the UK. Their Reading Champions initiative is a wonderful opportunity to encourage us dads to get reading with our sons, what could be better?"
Where is your favourite place to write?
"My study at home, but really any place semi-quiet and well-lit."
What authors do you admire?
"James Joyce, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Frederick Forsyth, Michael Lewis, Michael Connelly, George Pelecanos . . ."
What book, writer or other person had the biggest impact on your life?
"There have been a bunch. From teachers, to books like Day of the Jackal and Ulysses . . . one thing I think you’ll find as a dedicated reader is that life becomes a very rewarding place—so rewarding, it’s hard to identify the all the sources."
What was your biggest fear as a kid? What is your biggest fear now?
"Not ever leaving my home town was probably my biggest fear. My biggest fear now? Not having enough time to finish all the stories I want to tell."
What was your favourite book as a kid?
"Maybe Treasure Island. But, truth be told, I didn’t really come to love books till I was no longer a kid. Hence a lot of my dedication to seeing that this doesn’t happen to other kids. I feel like I lost a lot of important years there."
What advice would you give to a child who was interested in becoming an author?
"Make sure it’s what you want to do. It’s hard work and there are low odds of success."
Are you anything like the characters in your books?
"I suppose it depends which ones, but I’m American like most of them."
Finally, who is your favourite character in the Daniel X series?
"Characters are like children—one doesn’t pick favorites. What kind of dad would I be?"
James Patterson's Daniel X books are available in all good book shops now.