Alan Garner

Alan Garner OBE (born 17 October 1934) is an English author who writes children's fantasy novels.

Alan Garner
Garner in 2011
Born	(1934-10-17) 17 October 1934 Congleton, Cheshire, England
Occupation	Writer, folklorist
Nationality	English
Period	1960–present
Genre	Children's fantasy
Notable works	The Weirdstone of Brisingamen The Moon of Gomrath Elidor The Owl Service
Spouse	Griselda Garner

Early life

Garner was born in Congleton in the front room of his grandfather's house. He grew up in a town called Alderley Edge. His family told stories about the local area involving kings, knights and wizards. He played with his friends in the cliffs and forests around the town. He later used these experiences to give him ideas for his books. In 1953 he went to Oxford University but left after a few years because he wanted to concentrate on writing.

Writing career

Garner worked as a labourer until his first book The Weirdstone of Brisingamen was published in 1960. It is set in the Alderley Edge mines and the story is about wizards and knights underground, just like in the stories Garner's family would tell. After the book was published, Garner gave up his job and started working as a television reporter instead. He made very little money. At this time, he started to work on a second book called The Moon of Gomrath. In 1965, Elidor was published, telling the story of four children who enter a fantasy world.