Philip Pullman

Philip Pullman, Literary Genius, is appearing at the Dundee Literary Festival. He talks to Festival Director Anna Day about Hollywood, fame and coming to Dundee.

Few writers make the leap from author to literary superstar, but Philip Pullman has, with style and grace.

Equally few manage to attract both adult and children readers, cross the divide between science fiction and mainstream fiction and win critical and commercial acclaim along the way. The appeal of Pullman's novels, especially the trilogy, His Dark Materials, are why he is now one of the world's best read and best loved authors.

His words will reach an even bigger audience this year when the movie-making team behind Lord of the Rings and Anand Tucker, the director of the classy Hilary and Jackie, bring the first of his trilogy The Northern Lights (The Golden Compass in America) to the silver screen.

The filming of the books that so many have loved so dearly has caused controversy - some accuse Pullman of selling out, others say that the choice of Nicole Kidman to play the ultimate femme fatale Mrs Coulter is bad casting and the omittance of references to religion are destroying the heart of the story. But one thing is unarguable; the release of the movie in December will force Pullman further into the limelight than he's ever been before.

His success perhaps stems from determination. Pullman never entertained thoughts that he wouldn't succeed as an author. He says, "I always thought I'd write. But at first you have to earn a living somehow, so I was a teacher for a few years; but I wouldn't have stayed in that career for long. Even if I hadn't ever been published, I would still be writing now. Right from the beginning, when I first wrote, I thought, "I could make a living out of this." I've never had realistic expectations of anything I undertake.

"When I think about my job, I'm not sure if love is the right word. Sometimes I hate it - it's quite often little but brutal toil. The word is 'need' rather than 'love' - in other words, I'd go mad if I didn't write.

Despite his assurance that his chosen career would work, it took two decades before immortality was assured. While his early works, such as The Ruby in the Smoke and The Tiger in the Well were successful and well received, it wasn't until the first part of the trilogy was published and subsequently won the Carnegie Medal for Children's Literature that Pullman was assured his place in the hearts of millions.

He still hesitates when people use the word 'classic' to describe his trilogy. "When did I realise it was a classic? Before I began it - no, of course I didn't. I don't know that it is, and nor does anyone alive now. If it's still around in a hundred years (which none of us will know) then it will be time to start using words like that."

He may not admit it, but the characters he creates, the heart of each book, are unforgettable, fantastical and utterly believable.

"I don't base characters on real people, very seldom. But where they come from is a mystery. I suppose it must be my own mind, but it doesn't always feel like it. I seem to be discovering rather than inventing. I do take their names from real people sometimes - Serafina Pekkala name comes from the Finnish phone book.

"When it came to the film, it wasn't hard at all to let Lyra and Mrs Coulter go because they were in such good hands. It's hard watching a dreadfully bad adaptation (that's happened to me once, a long time ago) but then you just have to shrug and forget it. But HDM is being made very well by very talented people.

Not talented enough, it would seem, to persuade Pullman to appear onscreen himself. Is there, I ask, a character he would like to bring to the play in the movie?

He laughs. "No-one - I can't act at all. I have no desire to do a Hitchcock. Leave acting to the professionals."

Meanwhile, he has left Hollywood behind for an appearance at the Dundee Literary Festival and to be awarded an honorary degree at the University of Dundee.

"I'm really looking forward to it - and am delighted to be appearing at the inaugural Dundee Literature Festival."

Philip Pullman will appear at the Dundee Literary festival on Thursday 21st June at 2:30pm. For tickets go to www.dundeeliteraryfest.org or call 01382 384768.