Tim Collins is an award-winning English children's author from Manchester. There are over 100 books dedicated to him, including Wimpy Vampire, Cosmic Colin, Dorkius Maximus, and Sherlock Bones.
Collins has won awards in the UK and Germany, including the Manchester Fiction City Award (2011 Winner) and the Lincolnshire Young People's Book Award (2012 Winner). He has had his works translated into over 40 languages. He has had his works translated into over 40 languages.
As a child, he was fascinated by Tolkien because he was the only author who had an entire section of the bookshop devoted to him.
Known for his diverse characters, Collins finds delight in crafting ordinary individuals thrust into extraordinary circumstances for action and fantasy genres, while comedy beckons characters grounded in contradictions. His commitment to engaging young readers is evident in the structure of his works, featuring short chapters and single-scene compositions that mirror the pacing of fast-paced films, TV shows, and games.
His Teen Reads titles, Troll and Dawn of the Daves, delve into contemporary issues like online abuse and the allure of seemingly perfect individuals, weaving dark fantasy and suspense into relatable narratives.
Peer pressure, the struggle to fit in, and the complexity of school dynamics emerge as recurring themes in Collins' works. His deliberate choice of vocabulary, favouring short, familiar words in alignment with character voices, adds authenticity to his storytelling.
His penchant for mystery and action is reminiscent of literary giants like J.M. Barrie and Neil Gaiman, who have crafted pastiches of Sherlock Holmes. His series featuring Doctor Catson, narrated from a first-person perspective, unfolds in an anthropomorphic London, infusing humour through clever clashes between animal instincts and human-like roles.
Tim Collins now lives near Oxford.
Photo credit: FB @timcollinsauthor
