Lynch, Scott 1978-

PERSONAL:

Born April 2, 1978, in St. Paul, MN; married; wife's name Jenny. Hobbies and other interests: History, literature, films, contemporary and classic Macs, gaming, and game design.

ADDRESSES:

Home and office—New Richmond, WI. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Writer. Volunteer firefighter in New Richmond, WI. Has also worked as a waiter, Web designer, office manager, prep cook, and freelance writer.

WRITINGS:

The Lies of Locke Lamora (first book in "The Gentleman Bastards" series), Bantam (New York, NY), 2006.

Author of blog The Dork Lord, on His Dork Throne.

ADAPTATIONS:

Warner Bros. purchased the film rights to The Lies of Locke Lamora in 2006.

SIDELIGHTS:

Scott Lynch is the author of The Lies of Locke Lamora, a 2006 fantasy novel about a clever rogue and his band of thieves, known as the "Gentlemen Bastards." The inspiration for the work came to Lynch during a role-playing game in which he created a larcenous character named Locke. "I conceived of this idyllic, out-of-the-way little planet that had no military, but deflected trouble and attention from itself through the efforts of a very small, ultra-secret corps of spies, saboteurs, and con artists," the author told FantasyBookSpot.com interviewer Jay Tomio. "Locke was one of them, sent out to gather experience in the galaxy at large as part of his apprenticeship. After the game folded, I began to toy with the idea of tossing him and a whole crew of supporting con artists into a fantasy setting."

The first work in a planned seven-book cycle, The Lies of Locke Lamora takes place in the city-state of Camorr, where "the aristocracy and the criminal underworld have negotiated a Secret Peace to keep the aristocrats off-limits in exchange for nearly free rein to prey on the lower classes," observed C.M. Morrison on the Strange Horizons Web site. Locke and the Gentlemen Bastards, however, see no point in keeping the bargain and devise an intricate plot to swindle the wealthy Don Salvara. The plan is put on hold, though, when Locke is recruited by the mysterious Grey King to overthrow Capa Barsavi, the leader of the underworld. According to Booklist critic David Pitt, "This is one of those novels that reaches out and grabs readers, pulling us into the middle of the action." A contributor to Publishers Weekly noted, "Locke's resilience and wit give the book the tragicomic air of a traditional picaresque, rubbery ethics and all."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, May 1, 2006, David Pitt, review of The Lies of Locke Lamora, p. 36.

Bookseller, May 5, 2006, Matt Crane, review of The Lies of Locke Lamora, p. 12.

Library Journal, July 1, 2006, Jackie Cassada, review of The Lies of Locke Lamora, p. 70.

Publishers Weekly, May 22, 2006, review of The Lies of Locke Lamora, p. 36.

ONLINE

FantasyBookSpot,http://www.fantasybookspot.com/ (May 29, 2006), Jay Tomio, "On the Spot at FantasyBookSpot: Scott Lynch."

Scott Lynch Home Page,http://www.scottlynch.us (December 15, 2006).

SFFWorld.com,http://www.sffworld.com/ (June 29, 2006), "Interview with Scott Lynch."

Strange Horizons,http://www.strangehorizons.com/ (June 26, 2006), C.M. Morrison, review of The Lies of Locke Lamora.