Writers, Ink: Your backstage pass to the world's most prolific authors

NYT best-selling author Anthony Horowitz explains why the only voice you should listen to is your own.

May 20, 2025

Anthony Horowitz, a prolific NYT best-selling author known for the Alex Rider series and Sherlock Holmes novels, shares his insights on trusting one's own voice in writing. He discusses the evolution of national storytelling, touching on challenges faced by authors in a digital age and the phenomenon of scams in the publishing world. Horowitz reflects on his dynamic journey across various media, emphasizing creativity's personal nature, the role of beta readers, and the emotional struggles writers encounter while maintaining authenticity and confidence.

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ANECDOTE

Writing Born from Childhood Pain

Anthony Horowitz began writing as a way to cope with a harsh, unhappy childhood at a strict school.
Telling stories made him friends and gave him confidence despite constant negative messages from teachers.

INSIGHT

Creativity from Negative Experiences

Creativity often emerges from negative experiences such as pain, loneliness, or disapproval.
These challenges can fuel artistic expression and lead to beautiful works.

ADVICE

Exercise and Fresh Air Fuel Writing

Exercise, fresh air, and a dog are vital for Anthony's writing inspiration and well-being.
Avoid routine and keep daily writing environments fresh to stimulate creativity.

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Marble Hall Murders

Anthony Horowitz

Alex Rider

Anthony Horowitz

In 'Stormbreaker,' Alex Rider learns that his uncle, Ian Rider, was a spy and not just a banker. He is recruited by MI6 to investigate the death of his uncle and uncover a plot by the villainous Herod Sayle to use a new computer system to destroy London.

The Princess Bride

William Goldman

The Princess Bride is a modern fantasy classic that tells the story of Buttercup, one of the world's most beautiful women, and her farm boy lover Westley. The narrative is presented as an 'abridgment' of a nonexistent work by 'S. Morgenstern', allowing Goldman to interject his own commentary and personal anecdotes. The story involves quests for riches, revenge, power, and true love, featuring memorable characters such as the criminal mastermind Vizzini, the giant Fezzik, and the swordsman Inigo Montoya. The tale is filled with swashbuckling adventures, daring feats, and a deep exploration of true love and its challenges[1][2][5].

Something Upstairs

Avi

Carrie

Stephen King

Set in Chamberlain, Maine, 'Carrie' by Stephen King tells the story of Carietta 'Carrie' White, a 16-year-old girl who is ridiculed and bullied by her peers and abused by her ultra-religious mother, Margaret. Carrie discovers she has telekinetic powers after a humiliating incident in the school locker room where she gets her first period. The story unfolds through multiple narratives, including newspaper reports, court transcripts, and personal memoirs, detailing Carrie's transformation from a shy and isolated girl to a force of vengeance. After being humiliated at the school prom, Carrie unleashes her powers, causing widespread destruction and death in the town. The novel explores themes of ostracism, bullying, and the psychological trauma experienced by its characters[2][3][5].

Sherlock Holmes

Charles Verral

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

This book includes a series of stories that follow the adventures and cases of Sherlock Holmes, a brilliant and eccentric detective. The stories are known for their intricate plots, clever deductions, and the dynamic between Holmes and his trusted sidekick, Dr. John Watson. The adaptation by Charles Verral may include simplified or abridged versions of the original stories.

Major Arcana

John Pistelli

Harry Potter

J.K. Rowling

The Harry Potter series, written by J.K. Rowling, follows the journey of Harry Potter, an orphan boy who discovers he is a wizard. The series spans seven novels, each corresponding to one year of Harry's life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry, along with his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, navigates the magical world, confronts various challenges, and ultimately faces off against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who murdered Harry's parents and seeks to dominate the wizarding world. The series explores themes of friendship, love, and the struggle between good and evil.

Ender's Game

None

Orson Scott Card

Set in a future where humanity is threatened by the Formics, an insect-like alien species, the novel follows Ender Wiggin, a child prodigy who is drafted into Battle School at the age of six. Ender undergoes intense military training, including zero-gravity battles and psychological manipulation, to prepare him to lead the human fleet against the Formics. The book explores themes of war, leadership, and the moral complexities of using children as soldiers. It is known for its deep and complex sensibilities, and its ability to pose profound questions about the nature of war and humanity.

Roald Dahl

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Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl est un auteur britannique célèbre pour ses livres pour enfants, connus pour leur humour noir, leur imagination débordante et leurs personnages excentriques. Ses œuvres explorent des thèmes tels que la famille, l'amitié, le courage et l'importance de l'imagination. Dahl a créé des personnages emblématiques comme Charlie et la chocolaterie, Matilda et James et la grosse pêche. Ses livres sont traduits dans de nombreuses langues et continuent d'être appréciés par les enfants du monde entier. Son style d'écriture unique et son sens de l'humour font de lui un auteur intemporel.

James Bond

Ian Fleming

Atticus Punt

null

Anthony Horowitz

While the specific title of the book is not mentioned, the context suggests that Atticus Punt is a character created by Anthony Horowitz, and the book is a continuation novel. The character is inspired by classic detectives from the Golden Age of Mystery. The book likely features a complex plot, intricate clues, and a satisfying resolution. The character of Atticus Punt is likely to be a central figure in the story, solving a mystery with his unique skills and insights. The book is likely to appeal to fans of classic mystery novels.

Tintin

null

Hergé

Tintin is a series of comics created by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. The series follows the adventures of Tintin, a young reporter, and his dog Snowy. The stories are known for their detailed artwork, exciting plots, and diverse settings. Tintin's adventures often involve solving mysteries, uncovering conspiracies, and exploring different cultures. The series has been translated into numerous languages and has been adapted for film, television, and video games. Tintin's enduring popularity makes him a significant figure in the world of comics and popular culture.

Heavy Are the Stones

null

James Patterson

While specific details about "Heavy Are the Stones" by James Patterson are unavailable in the provided context, James Patterson is a prolific author known for his fast-paced thrillers and suspense novels. His books often feature compelling plots, memorable characters, and unexpected twists. Patterson's works frequently explore themes of crime, suspense, and the pursuit of justice. His books are known for their readability and ability to keep readers engaged from beginning to end. Patterson's success as an author has made him a prominent figure in the publishing world.

Hercule Poirot

Seven Classic Hercule Poirot Mysteries

Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot is a series of detective novels and short stories featuring the brilliant Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. Known for his meticulous methods and eccentric personality, Poirot solves a wide range of mysteries using his "little grey cells." The stories are set in various locations, from grand country houses to bustling cities, and often involve complex plots and intriguing characters. Christie's writing is characterized by its suspense, clever twists, and satisfying resolutions. The Hercule Poirot series has been adapted numerous times for film and television, cementing its place in popular culture.

Money Matters

null

Naomi Kanakia

Lord Peter Wimsey

Dorothy L. Sayers

Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey is a series of detective novels featuring the aristocratic and charming Lord Peter Wimsey. Wimsey, a highly intelligent and unconventional detective, solves mysteries with wit and insight. The stories are set in the 1920s and 1930s and often feature a blend of mystery, social commentary, and romance. Sayers' writing is known for its elegant prose, complex plots, and memorable characters. The Lord Peter Wimsey series is considered a significant contribution to the Golden Age of Detective Fiction and has been adapted for various media.

Join hosts Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, Kevin Tumlinson, and Dick Wybrow as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about Substack, scams, fake reviews, Audible, and AI translation. Then, stick around for a chat with Anthony Horowitz!

Anthony Horowitz is one of the most prolific and successful writers working in the UK – and is unique for working across so many media. Anthony is a born polymath; juggling writing books, TV series, films, plays and journalism. Anthony has written over 50 books including the bestselling teen spy series Alex Rider, which is estimated to have sold 21 million copies worldwide and has been turned into a hugely successful TV series by Amazon Freevee. A third series has just been filmed and the fourteenth Alex Rider novel, Nightshade: Revenge will be published in 2023.

Anthony is also an acclaimed writer for adults and was commissioned to write two new Sherlock Holmes novels The House of Silk and Moriarty. He was commissioned by the Ian Fleming Estate to write continuation novels for James Bond with Trigger Mortis and Forever and Day, published in 2015 and 2018 respectively. A third novel in the series With a Mind to Kill was published in May 2022.

Anthony is responsible for creating and writing some of the UK’s most beloved and successful television series, producing the first seven episodes (and the title) of Midsomer Murders. He is the writer and creator of award-winning drama series Foyle’s War, which was the Winner of the Lew Grade Audience award for BAFTA. DCS Foyle was voted the nation’s favourite detective in 2011. Anthony has also written other original complex dramas for ITV, particularly thrillers. Collision, a major five part “state of the nation” piece was transmitted on ITV1 in November 2009 to seven million viewers a night. He followed this with the equally successful legal thriller Injustice, also for ITV 1 - transmitted in June 2011. Foyle’s War returned in March 2013 as a Cold War thriller and was greeted with such critical acclaim and demands for more that he wrote one final series, bringing the show to an end in January 2015. Anthony's series, New Blood, premiered on the BBC in 2016.