MARK BILLINGHAM

What led you to a life of Crime?

Basically, crime fiction was what I loved to read and it's a habit I can't shake. It's pretty much all I read, to the extent that if I'm reading a so-called 'literary' novel, I find myself yearning for a spot of murder and mayhem. I turn the pages thinking: 'Come on Salman, pep it up! Can't you kill someone for heaven's sakes?'

You're also a stand-up comedian. Which came first comedy or crime and do you prefer one over the other?

Some would say my comedy IS a crime and though I've been doing it for somewhere approaching 20 years, I definitely prefer writing these days. Readers don't heckle, or throw things.

Comedy is a very interactive, social activity, so how do you cope with the writing process which is often such a solitary, isolated thing to do?

I talk to myself. Or try and engage people in conversation when they call me to offer me mobile phone upgrades or double glazing.

We recently saw a signed first edition copy of Lifeless on a well known book auction site for just under 100 pounds. How do you feel about the current state of book dealers making so much money off authors?

That's ridiculous. There's no excuse for charging that sort of money. People are being seriously ripped off paying those kind of prices. I should make sure I've got a few copies tucked away...

Would you like to see your books made into films? If so, how much involvement with them would you like to have?

The books have been optioned for TV and though I'm involved to an extent and obviously I hope they're well made, I think it can be easier for writers if they step back from the process. It can get messy...

You're the programming chair of this year's Harrogate Crime Writing Festival. Can you tell us a bit about this and the type of activities the event will be featuring.

We've got a great line-up of authors in a wide variety of events: Ian Rankin, John Harvey, Martina Cole, PD James, Nicci French, Val McDermid, John Connolly, Jeffery Deaver, George Pelecanos. That's just the tip of a criminally entertaining iceberg. You HAVE to be there!

We're curious to know what it was you could of possibly done to have someone call you 'lower than filth' (as shown on your website).

It was an irate caller to Radio 4 after an episode of 'The Mary Whitehouse Experience' I think. You don't have to do very much to upset Radio 4 listeners. Maybe I said something about 'The Archers'.

Buried, along with your other novels is very realistic, to the point where we actually thought you might have been a Detective in real life. How much time do you spend on research and how much emphasis do you place on it?

I would make a terrible detective! I think I've learned over the course of six novels what needs to be researched and what can be made up. If something needs to be got right, I do my very best. But you'll always get letters.

On a personal note, we've noticed that you like Morrissey . As big fans ourselves we're curious to know what your favourite song is.

As a big fan of the twisted love song, it would have to be 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out'.

Your Tom Thorne books have picked up a couple of awards already but is there a particular award you would love to receive?

I've been nominated for the Gold Dagger, but would obviously love to win it one day. Or an Edgar. Or Rear Of The Year.

Do you have any rituals/habits or things you need by your side while you are writing?

Not really, though internet access always comes in handy. Where else can you find a chart that details the stages of bodily decomposition?

We hear you have already started your next novel and that it's tentatively titled DEATH MESSAGE. How's it going and do you need any characters called Joe and Megan.

DEATH MESSAGE is just about done and I'm thinking about the next book, which will be a standalone thriller ( though Tom Thorne may sneak into it somewhere). As for the names, I'm always open to financial incentives...