James Patterson


James B. Patterson (born March 22, 1947) is an award-winning American author. Formerly the chairman of advertising company J. W. Thompson in the early 1990s, Patterson came up with the slogan "Toys R Us Kid". Shortly after his success with Along Came A Spider he retired from the firm and devoted his time to writing. The novels featuring his character, Alex Cross, a black forensic psychologist formerly of the Washington, D.C. Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation, now working as a private psychologist and government consultant, are the most popular books among Patterson readers.

James Patterson has sold more than 12 million books in North America alone. In total, James's books have sold an estimated 130 million copies worldwide. He has won awards including the Edgar, the BCA Mystery Guild's Thriller of the Year, and the International Thriller of the Year award. James Patterson was even named "the man who can't miss" in Times. He is the first author to have #1 new titles simultaneously on the New York Times adult and children's lists. He even made an appearance on The Simpsons as himself.

In addition to his own writing, Patterson's name has appeared on several books written in collaboration with other authors, such as Maxine Paetro and Andrew Gross. These collaborative authors are acknowledged ghost writers for story outlines provided by Patterson.

Patterson has also pledged $500,000 for the 2006 James Patterson PageTurner Award "intended to celebrate the people, companies, schools, and other institutions who find original and effective ways to spread the excitement of books and reading."

His Women's Murder Club series has also been green-lighted as a pilot for ABC television.