Andy Riley

Available for over a year

Andy Riley is an Emmy-winning scriptwriter and a million-selling author and cartoonist published in more than 20 countries, notably with the Bunny Suicides book series. Antonia Quirke follows him as he begins to write and draw the third book in his graphic novel series for children. The series is called Action Dude. That's the name of the main character, too; he lives for danger, he lives for excitement, he lives with his Mum because he's eight years old. As well as following Andy as he writes Action Dude, the programme will follow Andy in the other part of the job - one that people who want to write a children's book don't really think (or even know) about. To develop and promote a book for children these days, authors now also have to perform. To children. Loads of them. At festivals and in schools. In Andy's case, he does what amounts to a semi-improvised hour-long stand up show with live drawing. It's always teetering on the edge of havoc, which makes head teachers very anxious. So, the work begins. But what's the third one going to be about? Will Action Dude be fighting a massive shark - or will he be doing something else entirely? How can this one be akin to the earlier books ... whilst also new and surprising? And how did Andy end up in this line of work, drawing explosions and spaceships at the age of 53 anyway? (Photo: Andy Riley. Credit: Jon Enoch)