John Niven
Encyclopedia
John Niven is a Scottish
writer
. His books include Kill Your Friends, The Amateurs, and The Second Coming.
Niven was born in Irvine, Ayrshire and read English Literature at Glasgow University, graduating in 1991 with First Class honours. He then worked for a variety of record companies over the next ten years, including London Records
and Independiente. He left the music industry to write full time in 2002 and published his debut novella Music from Big Pink in 2005 (Continuum Press). The novella has been optioned for the screen by CC Films and the script has been written by acclaimed English playwright Jez Butterworth
.
Niven's breakthrough novel Kill Your Friends is a scathing satire of the music business, based on his brief career in A&R
, during which he passed up the chance to sign Coldplay
and Muse
. The novel was published by William Heinemann in 2008 and achieved much acclaim, with Word magazine describing it as "possibly the best British Novel since Trainspotting". It has been translated into seven languages and was a bestseller in Britain and Germany. Kill Your Friends is currently being made into a film.
Niven has since published The Amateurs (2009) and The Second Coming (2011). He also writes original screenplays with writing partner Nick Ball, the younger brother of British TV presenter Zoe Ball. His journalistic contributions to newspapers and magazines include a monthly column for Q magazine, entitled "London Kills Me". In 2009 Niven wrote a controversial article for The Independent
newspaper where he attacked the media's largely complacent coverage of Michael Jackson
's death.
Niven lives in Buckinghamshire with his fiancee and infant daughter. He has a teenage son from a previous marriage.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
. His books include Kill Your Friends, The Amateurs, and The Second Coming.
Niven was born in Irvine, Ayrshire and read English Literature at Glasgow University, graduating in 1991 with First Class honours. He then worked for a variety of record companies over the next ten years, including London Records
London Records
London Records, referred to as London Recordings in logo, is a record label headquartered in the United Kingdom, originally marketing records in the United States, Canada and Latin America from 1947 to 1979, then becoming a semi-independent label....
and Independiente. He left the music industry to write full time in 2002 and published his debut novella Music from Big Pink in 2005 (Continuum Press). The novella has been optioned for the screen by CC Films and the script has been written by acclaimed English playwright Jez Butterworth
Jez Butterworth
Jeremy “Jez” Butterworth is an English dramatist and film director.-Life and career:Butterworth was born in London, England, and attended Verulam Comprehensive School, St Albans and St John's College, Cambridge...
.
Niven's breakthrough novel Kill Your Friends is a scathing satire of the music business, based on his brief career in A&R
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
, during which he passed up the chance to sign Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
and Muse
Muse
The Muses in Greek mythology, poetry, and literature, are the goddesses who inspire the creation of literature and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge, related orally for centuries in the ancient culture, that was contained in poetic lyrics and myths...
. The novel was published by William Heinemann in 2008 and achieved much acclaim, with Word magazine describing it as "possibly the best British Novel since Trainspotting". It has been translated into seven languages and was a bestseller in Britain and Germany. Kill Your Friends is currently being made into a film.
Niven has since published The Amateurs (2009) and The Second Coming (2011). He also writes original screenplays with writing partner Nick Ball, the younger brother of British TV presenter Zoe Ball. His journalistic contributions to newspapers and magazines include a monthly column for Q magazine, entitled "London Kills Me". In 2009 Niven wrote a controversial article for The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
newspaper where he attacked the media's largely complacent coverage of Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
's death.
Niven lives in Buckinghamshire with his fiancee and infant daughter. He has a teenage son from a previous marriage.
External links
- Author page on Random House
- http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/kill-your-friends-by-john-niven-780982.html
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/jan/31/kill-your-friends-review