My life in books: Every amazing or even enjoyable book I’ve read made me want to be a writer

Author Derek Landy says a turn of phrase by Elmore Leonard, or a casual insight by Hunter S Thompson, or a throwaway description by Stephen King, can all make him happy

Derek Landy: 'Art by humans actually matters. That’s why replicated facsimiles of art by AI will never resonate.' Picture: Bríd O’Donovan

Derek Landy is the author of the bestselling Skulduggery Pleasant series and has written numerous comic book series for Marvel Comics.

His latest book, Skulduggery Pleasant: A Soul Full of Shadows is out now.