Dean Koontz Success Story
Profile
Dean Koontz is an American writer. He writes suspense thrillers. His famous works include, The Door to December and The Odd Thomas. His novels have featured on the Best-seller list of the New York Times. Koontz's 14 paperbacks were at the 'number one' position. Koontz wrote under different pen names; "David Axton", "Leigh Nichols" and "Brian Coffey". He has sold approximately 450 million copies.
Childhood
Dean was born on July 9, 1945, in Everett, Pennsylvania, United States to Florence and Raymond Koonz. He grew up in Bedford. He was an avid reader since his childhood. Dean enjoyed watching films. Koontz graduated from the Shippensburg State College, with a degree in English. He won a fiction writing competition while in college.
Early Career
Koontz started is career as a teacher in the Mechanicsburg School, Pennsylvania. He worked for the Appalachian Poverty Program, an initiative to help poor children.
Heights
Koontz started his career in writing in 1968, when he wrote his first novel “Star Quest” with Ace books. His novel Beastchild was shortlisted at the Hugo Award Nomination. This was just the beginning and for Koontz the inspiration to write more books.
Koontz’s books have been published in 38 different languages, with a sale of approximately 450 million copies, till date. He has featured in several bestseller lists. He has been titled the best novelist. Koontz's 14 hardback novels were number one bestsellers on the “New York Times Hardcover”and 16 of his books ranked 'No. 1' on Paper Back. Koontz is referred to as “America’s most popular suspense Novelist” by The Rolling Stone.
Koontz was inspired by his dog Trixie to write the book, Christmas Is Good. The royalties earned from this book were donated to CCI, a charitable organization that provides service dogs to the people with disabilities. Later in the year 2007 when his pet left him, he wrote “The Darkest Evening of the Year” which was about a woman who runs a retriever rescue home for dogs.
Koontz’s bestsellers have been made into TV serials and movies; 'The Odd Thomas', 'Frankenstein', 'Sole Survivor', 'Black River', 'Phantoms' and 'Mr Murder'.
Recognitions
Koontz's 14 hardback novels were number one bestsellers on the “New York Times Hardcover”and 16 of his books ranked 'No. 1' on Paper Back. Koontz is referred to as “America’s most popular suspense Novelist” by The Rolling Stone.
Awards
- 1996
-
World Horror Grandmaster
- 1986
-
World Fantasy
Dean Koontz extended, full interview with Raymond Arroyo
- Full Name :
- Dean Ray Koontz
- Birth Place :
- Everett
Pennsylvania
- Education :
- Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Maryland
- Occupation :
- Author
- Industry :
- Publishing
- Networth :
- $ 125 Million
