Philip Kerr

As a child

I was born in Edinburgh and from an early age I knew I was going to be a writer. My mother taught me to read and without her I can’t imagine what would have become of me. I went to school in Scotland but rarely visit these days as the SNP thing has divided Scotland in a way I now find uncomfortable.

As an adult

I studied Law up to post-graduate level; then I worked as a copywriter in advertising for many years. Being a copywriter used to be a good job to have if you were a writer. Nobody noticed if you were writing a novel, which I was, mostly.

As a writer

I live and work in Wimbledon where I have been for more than twenty years. I am a full-time writer which is to say that it’s a proper job and not something I do in between jobs taken to earn a living. This is all I do. I used to do more journalism but since newspapers stopped paying people a proper fee I don’t do this any more. I write film scripts also.

Things you didn’t know about Philip Kerr

1. I had a very religious upbringing; my sister went to church three times on a Sunday.
2. I don’t eat lunch.
3. I have a cinema in my house.
4. I shout at the television and radio, quite a lot.
5. Berlin is my favourite city.
6. I have three nipples.
7. I can stand on my head.
8. I have a standing desk. In other words, I stand when I’m working.
9. My cat likes getting wet.
10. I haven’t dusted my office in years.