Malcolm Judge has always dreamed of being a writer, but along the way he’s tried his hand at many different jobs: newspaper boy, waiter, caddy, pot washer, conservation officer, carer, tree surgeon before finally settling on teaching. He is now a drama teacher and fits his writing around his day job. In a quest for world fame, Malcolm competed in The World Coal Carrying Championships. He did not win, but he did go on to beat the winner (his former PE teacher) in a training race, which almost counts as world fame. He lives in Cumbria with his wife and three sons.
A Q&A with Malcolm Judge
Describe your book in one sentence? Jonny Jakes (undercover schoolboy reporter) Vs Mr. Jones (evil alien maniac).
What inspired you to write your book? The opportunity to try and be rude and funny at the same time.
Favourite character in your book? Jonny
Favourite sentence or line in your book? ‘Out there was T.V., electricity and food that wouldn’t kill you.’
Describe yourself in three words? Optimistic, creative, modest.
Shakespeare or Dickens? Shakespeare
Your favourite author? Too many to choose from.
Favourite character from a book? Huckleberry Finn
If you weren’t an author, you would be… An international film star
Favourite place/setting to read a book? Somewhere in the mountains with a cup of tea.
If you had a dinner party what three authors or characters from literature would you invite? Shakespeare, Gandalf, Death (The Terry Pratchett version).
Where do you get your ideas from? It’s a good question and I’m not really sure. The best ones have a habit of coming completely out of nowhere.
Do you base your characters on people you know? Not consciously but I’m sure that must happen from time to time.
