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.

In 2006, James Patterson sold more than 12 million books in North America alone. In total, Patterson'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 named "the man who can't miss" in Time Magazine. He is the first author to have #1 new titles simultaneously on the New York Times adult and children's best sellers lists, and to have two books on NovelTracker'stop-ten list at the same time. In 2005 alone, James Patterson had five consecutive #1 New York Times bestselling original hardcover books - a record held by no other author to date. He broke that record again in 2006. He even made an appearance on the Fox TV show The Simpsons as himself.

Paterson is also well known for sharing the spotlight with different co-authors such as Maxine Paetro and Andrew Gross and has often said that collaborating with others brings new and interesting ideas to his stories.

He also founded the James Patterson PageTurner Awards, now in its third year. Patterson has personally given away over $600,000 to reward "people, companies, schools, and other institutions who find original and effective ways to spread the excitement of books and reading."

Patterson's bestselling Women's Murder Club series is now a TV show starring former Law & Order star Angie Harmon, slated to premiere in the fall of 2007 on ABC television. Other movie deals are currently in the works with various Hollywood studios.

Patterson received his bachelor's degree from Manhattan College.

He lives in Palm Beach, Florida with his wife, Susan, and son, Jack.