Philip Ridley author page

Philip Ridley biography

Philip Ridley is a British author, playwright, and screenwriter. He is known for his work across various media, including children’s literature, young adult fiction, theatre, and film. Ridley studied painting at St Martin’s School of Art in London.

His debut children’s novel, Krindlekrax, was published in 1991 by Viking Kestrel. The book won the Smarties Prize and was shortlisted for the Whitbread Children’s Book Award. Ridley’s other children’s novels include Kasper in the Glitter (1994), Scribbleboy (1997), and Zip’s Apollo (2000). Scribbleboy received the WH Smith Mind-Boggling Book Award.

Ridley has also written for young adults, with titles such as Mighty Fizz Chilla (2002), Mercedes Ice (2003), and Spacehopper (2008). His books have been published by Penguin and Puffin, among others.

In addition to his novels, Ridley is recognised for his plays, including The Pitchfork Disney (1991) and Mercury Fur (2005). He wrote and directed the film The Reflecting Skin (1990), which won awards at international film festivals.

Ridley’s work has received multiple literary and theatrical awards. Krindlekrax was adapted for the stage and television. Scribbleboy was adapted for BBC Radio 4. His books have been translated into several languages.

In 2005, Ridley received the Arts Council England’s Children’s Writer in Residence award at the Hay Festival.