Paperback Writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

With titles like Watchmen, V for Vendetta, From Hell and The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Alan has transformed the genre over 40 years of varied work. Hear him talk about writing, alongside his wide-ranging passion for music, magic, art labs and plenty else in between.

Expect tracks from Captain Beefheart, Joni Mitchell, X-Ray Spex, The Residents, Patti Smith and Sleaford Mods. Plus some of the music he's made himself over the years.

This kicks off 6 Music's Graphic Content season, where we celebrate comics and graphic novels through October. Author Neil Gaiman is in the hot seat on Sunday 6th October, with an hour of music that has shaped him as a person and a writer. Hannah Berry, the UK's current Comics Laureate takes over the reins the following week. And Castlevania creator Warren Ellis completes the line up with an hour of his favourite music on 20th October.

Legendary comic book writer Alan Moore shares two hours of his favourite music.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

She picks songs by some of her all-time favourite singers and artists, including music she heard whilst growing up in South Africa and artists she discovered as a screenwriter in Los Angeles. Her list includes Pink Floyd, The Clash, Undertones and Blondie.

Crime writer - and Stephen King fan girl - Belinda Bauer hosts Paperback Writers.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

The American novelist delves into his record collection and picks his favourite tunes.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Frank is also one of the judges for Radio 2's 500 Words children's writing competition. He will be attending this year's live final, where the winners will be revealed, which takes place at Windsor Castle on Friday 14 June.

Screenwriter and author Frank Cottrell-Boyce chooses an hour of his favourite tracks.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

This is part of 6 Music's Paperback Writers: Graphic Content series, focussing on where the worlds of comics and music collide. Alan Moore kicks things off on the 4th October, with the legendary comic book writer sharing two hours of his favourite music. He talks to producer and writer Richard Norris about the important part it's played in his life. Author Neil Gaiman is in the hot seat on Sunday 6th October, with an hour of music that has shaped him as a person and a writer. And Castlevania creator Warren Ellis completes the line up with an hour of his favourite music on 20th October.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

A Scottish theme runs through the show with tracks from Steve Mason, Belle and Sebastian and Mogwai. Plus an insight in to the music that accompanies Ian as he creates modern noir fiction.

Ian Rankin talks about his life and work and plays some of his favourite music from 2010.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

A Scottish theme runs through the show with tracks from Steve Mason, Belle and Sebastian and Mogwai. Plus an insight in to the music that accompanies Ian as he creates modern noir fiction.

Ian Rankin talks about his life and work and plays some of his favourite music from 2010.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

A Scottish theme runs through the show with tracks from Steve Mason, Belle and Sebastian and Mogwai. Plus an insight in to the music that accompanies Ian as he creates modern noir fiction.

Ian Rankin talks about his life and work and plays some of his favourite music from 2010.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

A Scottish theme runs through the show with tracks from Steve Mason, Belle and Sebastian and Mogwai. Plus an insight in to the music that accompanies Ian as he creates modern noir fiction.

Ian Rankin talks about his life and work and plays some of his favourite music from 2010.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

A Scottish theme runs through the show with tracks from Steve Mason, Belle and Sebastian and Mogwai. Plus an insight in to the music that accompanies Ian as he creates modern noir fiction.

Ian Rankin talks about his life and work and plays some of his favourite music from 2010.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

A Scottish theme runs through the show with tracks from Steve Mason, Belle and Sebastian and Mogwai. Plus an insight in to the music that accompanies Ian as he creates modern noir fiction.

Ian Rankin talks about his life and work and plays some of his favourite music from 2010.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

A Scottish theme runs through the show with tracks from Steve Mason, Belle and Sebastian and Mogwai. Plus an insight in to the music that accompanies Ian as he creates modern noir fiction.

Ian Rankin talks about his life and work and plays some of his favourite music from 2010.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Jo Nesbo played football for Norway's premier league team Molde, but his dream of playing professionally was dashed when he tore ligaments in his knee at the age of eighteen. After three years military service he attended business school and formed the band Di derre ('Them There'). Their second album topped the charts in Norway, but he continued working as a financial analyst, crunching numbers during the day and gigging at night.

When commissioned by a publisher to write a memoir about life on the road with his band, he instead came up with the plot for his first Harry Hole crime novel, The Bat. He is regarded as one of the world's leading crime writers and his novels are published in over 50 languages.

First broadcast in 2017.

Author Jo Nesbo picks some of his favourite music and tells the stories behind them.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

John Connolly was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1968 and has, at various points in his life, worked as a journalist, a barman, a local government official, a waiter and a dogsbody at Harrods department store in London. He studied English in Trinity College, Dublin and journalism at Dublin City University, subsequently spending five years working as a freelance journalist for The Irish Times newspaper, to which he continues to contribute.

His first novel, Every Dead Thing, was published in 1999, and introduced the character of Charlie Parker, a former policeman hunting the killer of his wife and daughter.

First broadcast in 2016..

John Connolly, best known for his Charlie Parker novels, chooses his favourite music.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Irish author, John Connolly, brings us a selection of music from his record collection and talks about how the artists and albums helped shape him as an author and person. His latest novel - A Game Of Ghosts - is the 15th Charlie Parker mystery thriller.

John Connolly was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1968 and has, at various points in his life, worked as a journalist, a barman, a local government official, a waiter and a dogsbody at Harrods department store in London. He studied English in Trinity College, Dublin and journalism at Dublin City University, subsequently spending five years working as a freelance journalist for The Irish Times newspaper, to which he continues to contribute.

His first novel, Every Dead Thing, was published in 1999, and introduced the character of Charlie Parker, a former policeman hunting the killer of his wife and daughter. Dark Hollow followed in 2000. The third Parker novel, The Killing Kind, was published in 2001, with The White Road following in 2002. In 2003, John published his fifth novel-and first stand-alone book-Bad Men. In 2004, Nocturnes, a collection of novellas and short stories, was added to the list, and 2005 marked the publication of the fifth Charlie Parker novel, The Black Angel. John's seventh novel, The Book of Lost Things, a story about fairy stories and the power that books have to shape our world and our imaginations, was published in September 2006, followed by the next Parker novel, The Unquiet, in 2007, The Reapers, in 2008 The Lovers, in 2009, and The Whisperers, the ninth Charlie Parker novel, in 2010. The tenth Charlie Parker novel, The Burning Soul, was published in 2011, to be followed in 2012 by The Wrath of Angels. The Wolf in Winter, the twelfth Parker novel, was published in April 2014 in the UK and in October 2014 in the US. 2015 saw the publication of A Song of Shadows, the 13th Parker novel, and Night Music: Nocturnes Volume 2, the second collection of short stories. The 14th Parker novel, A Time of Torment, was published last year.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Lionel Shriver's novels include The New Republic, So Much for That, The Post-Birthday World, and the international bestseller We Need to Talk About Kevin. Her journalism has appeared in The Guardian, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and many other publications.

Her novels have explored the US healthcare system, obesity, high school shootings, human population growth, and terrorism. Her twelfth novel, The Mandibles: A Family, 2029 - 2047, is a vision of a near-future fiscal collapse. It is a frightening, fascinating, scabrously funny glimpse into the decline that may await the United States all too soon, from the pen of one of the most perceptive authors of our time.

Lionel Shriver chooses an hour of favourite tracks and talks about what they mean to her.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

The British illustrator and children's writer picks a selection of her favourite records.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

There'll be songs from Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Alanis Morisette, Stompin' Tom Connors and Bruce Cockburn.

Margaret Atwood is a Canadian poet, novelist, literary critic and essayist. She is the author of seventeen novels, which include The Edible Woman, The Handmaid's Tale and The Blind Assassin. She has been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize five times, winning once, and has been a finalist for the Governor General's Award several times, winning twice.

First broadcast in 2016, and repeated to complement BBC Radio 4's serialisation of The Testaments, which begins on 16th September at 12.04 pm.

Author Margaret Atwood plays some favourite songs and tells us the stories behind them.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Mark started out as an actor and stand-up comedian, and although now a very successful author and bookworm, music is still his passion. In the last episode of Paperback Writers, he rifles through his extensive record collection to choose some of his favourite songs of all time, including Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams, XTC and John Grant.

Mark Billingham, author of the Tom Thorne novels, chooses an hour of his favourite songs.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

James won the 2015 Man Booker prize for his novel A Brief History of Seven Killings, a fictional account of the assassination attempt on Bob Marley. In this second episode of Paperback Writers, Marlon plays the music that inspires him when writing and from his childhood in Jamaica including Bob Marley, Nick Drake, Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, and Bob Dylan.

Man Booker Prize-winning author Marlon James plays his favourite music.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Matt Haig's latest book ‘Evie and the Animals' contains magical powers, a small boy falling into a lion pit and an important lesson on why you should always be yourself. It follows on from his guide to surviving in the modern world, ‘Notes On A Nervous Planet'.

Previously, Matt Haig has published a memoir, ‘Reasons to Stay Alive', which was a number one bestseller, the children's book ‘A Boy Called Christmas' which is being made into a film, and other titles which have scored him the Smarties Gold Medal, the Blue Peter Book of the Year and three nominations for the Carnegie Medal. He has sold over a million books in the UK and his work has been translated into over forty languages.

In this show, you can expect tunes from The Beach Boys, Frank Ocean and Joni Mitchell, plus words on the power of music and literature to change lives in 2019.

Author and journalist Matt Haig on the music that inspires his writing.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

A writer of comics, graphic novels, fiction, films, and plenty in between, Neil talks about how music has influenced him over his long and varied career.

This is part of 6 Music's Paperback Writers: Graphic Content series, focussing on where the worlds of comics and music collide. Alan Moore kicks things off on the 4th October, with the legendary comic book writer sharing two hours of his favourite music. He talks to producer and writer Richard Norris about the important part it's played in his life. Hannah Berry, the UK's current Comics Laureate takes over the reins next Sunday 13th October, and Castlevania creator Warren Ellis completes the line up with an hour of his favourite music on 20th October.

The author of Sandman, Good Omens and American Gods picks the music that's shaped him.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers picks a selection of his favourite records.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Peter Robinson was born in Yorkshire. After getting his BA Honours Degree in English Literature at the University of Leeds, he came to Canada and took his MA in English and Creative Writing at the University of Windsor, with Joyce Carol Oates as his tutor, then a PhD in English at York University. He has taught at a number of Toronto community colleges and universities and served as Writer-in-Residence at the University of Windsor, 1992-93.

His first novel, Gallows View (1987), introduced Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks. It was short-listed for the John Creasey Award in the UK and the Crime Writers of Canada best first novel award. A Dedicated Man followed in 1988 and was short-listed for the CWC's Arthur Ellis Award. A Necessary End and The Hanging Valley, both Inspector Banks novels, followed in 1989, and the latter was nominated for an Arthur. Both received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly in the US.

Caedmon's Song, the first departure from the series, was published in 1990 and was also nominated for an Arthur. (It was reissued in the UK by Macmillan in September, 2003, and was published for the first time in the US by Avon Dark Passage in September, 2004, as The First Cut.) The fifth Inspector Banks novel, Past Reason Hated, won the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Novel in 1992. The sixth, Wednesday's Child, was nominated for an Edgar Award by the Mystery Writers of America. Final Account (UK Dry Bones that Dream) appeared in 1994 and won an Author's Award from the Foundation for the Advancement of Canadian Letters in 1995.

The eighth Inspector Banks novel, Innocent Graves (1996) was picked as one of Publishers Weekly's best mysteries of 1996 and selected as 'page-turner of the week' by People magazine. Innocent Graves was also nominated for a Hammett Award for 'literary excellence in the field of crime writing' by the International Association of Crime Writers, and won the author his second Arthur Ellis Award for best novel. In a Dry Season, the tenth in the series, won the Anthony and Barry awards for best novel and was nominated for the Edgar, Hammett, Macavity and Arthur Ellis Awards. In 2001, it also won France's Grand Prix de Littérature Policière and Sweden's Martin Beck Award. It was also a New York Times 'notable book' of 1999. The next book Cold is the Grave, won the Arthur Ellis Award and was nominated for the Los Angeles Times Book Award. In 2006 it won the Danish Palle Rosenkrantz Award. Aftermath appeared in 2002 and made the top ten in both the UK and Canadian bestseller lists, where it reached number one.

In 2002, Robinson was awarded the 'Dagger in the Library' by the CWA. The thirteenth Banks novel, The Summer that Never Was (US Close to Home), appeared on the New York Times expanded bestseller list in February, 2003, and on both the UK and Canadian bestseller lists and was nominated for an Arthur Ellis and an Anthony award. Playing with Fire, published in January, 2004, was nominated for both the Arthur Ellis and Hammett awards. Strange Affair (January, 2005) was nominated for Arthur Ellis and a Macavity awards.The books have been translated into nineteen languages. Piece of My Heart appeared in 2006, and in 2007, Friend of the Devil reached Number One in the Sunday Times hardcover bestseller list. In January, 2008, Robinson was presented with the Celebrates Reading Award by the Toronto Libraries.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Robin Hobb is one of the world's finest writers of epic fiction. Her latest novel sold 2.5 million copies in the UK alone, and her fans include George RR Martin who says she's one of the best writers in the world.

She was born in California but raised in Alaska, where she learned how to raise a wolf cub, to skin a moose and to survive in the wilderness. When she married a fisherman who fished herring and the Kodiak salmon-run for half the year, these skills would stand her in good stead.

She raised her family, ran a smallholding, delivered post to her remote community, all at the same time as writing stories and novels. She succeeded on all fronts, raising four children and becoming an internationally best-selling writer.

Her selection of artists include Johnny Cash, Simon & Garfunkel, Donna Summer and The Police.

International bestselling author Robin Hobb chooses some of her favourite songs.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Roddy won the Man Booker Prize in 1993 for his book Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha. In 2013, he adapted The Commitments for the West End Stage. He has also written eight books for children and is a prolific dramatist.

His selection includes Steely Dan, Wilco, Nick Cave, Patti Smith and Bob Dylan.

Irish novelist and screenwriter Roddy Doyle picks a selection of his favourite songs.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Tunes featured include inspired lyrics from the likes of David Bowie, Cherry Ghost, Momus, Felt, Arctic Monkeys and Belle and Sebastian.

Another chance to hear poet Simon Armitage enthusing about his musical heroes.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Tunes featured include inspired lyrics from the likes of David Bowie, Cherry Ghost, Momus, Felt, Arctic Monkeys and Belle and Sebastian.

Another chance to hear poet Simon Armitage enthusing about his musical heroes.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Tunes featured include inspired lyrics from the likes of David Bowie, Cherry Ghost, Momus, Felt, Arctic Monkeys and Belle and Sebastian.

Another chance to hear poet Simon Armitage enthusing about his musical heroes.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Tunes featured include inspired lyrics from the likes of David Bowie, Cherry Ghost, Momus, Felt, Arctic Monkeys and Belle and Sebastian.

Another chance to hear poet Simon Armitage enthusing about his musical heroes.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Tunes featured include inspired lyrics from the likes of David Bowie, Cherry Ghost, Momus, Felt, Arctic Monkeys and Belle and Sebastian.

Another chance to hear poet Simon Armitage enthusing about his musical heroes.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Tunes featured include inspired lyrics from the likes of David Bowie, Cherry Ghost, Momus, Felt, Arctic Monkeys and Belle and Sebastian.

Another chance to hear poet Simon Armitage enthusing about his musical heroes.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Stephen King has sold over 350 million copies of his books, many of which have been made into films and TV series. As well as his love of literature, Stephen also owns three radio stations in the U.S. and is a huge music fan. Over this hour, he plays a selection of tracks from his record collection and tells us the stories behind them.

His latest book is a thrilling new collection of short stories called the Bazaar Of Bad Dreams.

There's a curio for every reader – a man who keeps reliving the same life, repeating the same mistakes over and over, a firework competition between neighbours which reaches an explosive climax, a columnist who kills people by writing their obituaries or a poignant tale about the end of the human race.

One of the world's bestselling authors, Stephen King, chooses his favourite songs.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Writer and broadcaster Tony Parsons picks a selection of his favourite tunes.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Tracy was born in 1962 and grew up in Washington, DC, moving to England after graduating with a BA in English from Oberlin College (Ohio). For several years she worked as a reference book editor, while writing short stories in her spare time. In 1993, she quit to do an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia (Norwich, England). Although she has lived in the United Kingdom for over 30 years,she still has an American accent.

Tracy writes her novels longhand, typing what she has written into the computer at the end of each day. (she prefers blue ink and disposable fountain pens) She is also a quilt maker and never wears earrings and a necklace together.

She has written eight novels and edited two short story collections. Her second novel, Girl with a Pearl Earring, sold 5 million copies worldwide and was made into a film starring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson.

First broadcast in 2017.

Bestselling novelist Tracy Chevalier chooses some of her favourite music.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Warren Ellis is the award-winning writer of Transmetropolitan, Planetery, The Authority and the writer and co-creator of the graphic novel Red, which was the basis of two major motion pictures. He is also the author of the NYT-bestselling novels Gun Machine and Crooked Little Vein. He's currently the writer and showrunner for the Netflix animated series Castlevania.

This is part of 6 Music's Paperback Writers: Graphic Content series, focussing on where the worlds of comics and music collide. Alan Moore kicked things off on the 4th October, with the legendary comic book writer sharing two hours of his favourite music. He talked to producer and writer Richard Norris about the important part it's played in his life. Author Neil Gaiman was in the hot seat on Sunday 6th October, with an hour of music that has shaped him as a person and a writer. And the UK's current Comics Laureate Hannah Berry was in charge of the music last Sunday.

The comics writer, novelist & screenwriter picks the music that represents him & his work.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Oliver has chooses music that has marked significant milestones in his life, so you can sit back and travel with him as a young lad in Northern Ireland, around Australia and to New York, where he now lives and recorded this programme.

Award-winning children's picture book writer Oliver Jeffers chooses his milestone tracks.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Oliver has chooses music that has marked significant milestones in his life, so you can sit back and travel with him as a young lad in Northern Ireland, around Australia and to New York, where he now lives and recorded this programme.

Award-winning children's picture book writer Oliver Jeffers chooses his milestone tracks.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Oliver has chooses music that has marked significant milestones in his life, so you can sit back and travel with him as a young lad in Northern Ireland, around Australia and to New York, where he now lives and recorded this programme.

Award-winning children's picture book writer Oliver Jeffers chooses his milestone tracks.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Oliver has chooses music that has marked significant milestones in his life, so you can sit back and travel with him as a young lad in Northern Ireland, around Australia and to New York, where he now lives and recorded this programme.

Award-winning children's picture book writer Oliver Jeffers chooses his milestone tracks.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Oliver has chooses music that has marked significant milestones in his life, so you can sit back and travel with him as a young lad in Northern Ireland, around Australia and to New York, where he now lives and recorded this programme.

Award-winning children's picture book writer Oliver Jeffers chooses his milestone tracks.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Oliver has chooses music that has marked significant milestones in his life, so you can sit back and travel with him as a young lad in Northern Ireland, around Australia and to New York, where he now lives and recorded this programme.

Award-winning children's picture book writer Oliver Jeffers chooses his milestone tracks.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Iain Banks aka Iain M Banks (in his sci-fi guise) was the man behind transfixing novels Complicity and Wasp Factory. Iain's wit and music take us on a journey back to his colourful student days in Scotland, to squats in England and finally a serene life in the wilds of Scotland.

The late Iain Banks talks about his life and favourite music.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Iain Banks aka Iain M Banks (in his sci-fi guise) was the man behind transfixing novels Complicity and Wasp Factory. Iain's wit and music take us on a journey back to his colourful student days in Scotland, to squats in England and finally a serene life in the wilds of Scotland.

The late Iain Banks talks about his life and favourite music.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Iain Banks aka Iain M Banks (in his sci-fi guise) was the man behind transfixing novels Complicity and Wasp Factory. Iain's wit and music take us on a journey back to his colourful student days in Scotland, to squats in England and finally a serene life in the wilds of Scotland.

The late Iain Banks talks about his life and favourite music.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Iain Banks aka Iain M Banks (in his sci-fi guise) was the man behind transfixing novels Complicity and Wasp Factory. Iain's wit and music take us on a journey back to his colourful student days in Scotland, to squats in England and finally a serene life in the wilds of Scotland.

The late Iain Banks talks about his life and favourite music.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Iain Banks aka Iain M Banks (in his sci-fi guise) was the man behind transfixing novels Complicity and Wasp Factory. Iain's wit and music take us on a journey back to his colourful student days in Scotland, to squats in England and finally a serene life in the wilds of Scotland.

The late Iain Banks talks about his life and favourite music.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Iain Banks aka Iain M Banks (in his sci-fi guise) was the man behind transfixing novels Complicity and Wasp Factory. Iain's wit and music take us on a journey back to his colourful student days in Scotland, to squats in England and finally a serene life in the wilds of Scotland.

The late Iain Banks talks about his life and favourite music.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Iain Banks aka Iain M Banks (in his sci-fi guise) was the man behind transfixing novels Complicity and Wasp Factory. Iain's wit and music take us on a journey back to his colourful student days in Scotland, to squats in England and finally a serene life in the wilds of Scotland.

The late Iain Banks talks about his life and favourite music.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Iain Banks aka Iain M Banks (in his sci-fi guise) was the man behind transfixing novels Complicity and Wasp Factory. Iain's wit and music take us on a journey back to his colourful student days in Scotland, to squats in England and finally a serene life in the wilds of Scotland.

The late Iain Banks talks about his life and favourite music.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Music has played a big part in shaping Jake's life. He once interviewed Morrissey for Time Out and in Johnny Come Home the protagonist is a 1970s glam rock star. Jake also made a cameo appearance in Telstar, the film biopic about cult 60s record producer Joe Meek. David Bowie is a big fan of Jake's work. The musician comments that: 'whenever he's got a new book out, I drop everything, knowing that the next couple of hours are going to be pure gangland bliss.

Jake reads an extract of The House of Rumour, and his musical selections include the Clash, Nina Simone, Althea and Donna, Wire, Augustus Pablo, the Smiths, PM Dawn and, of course, David Bowie.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers

Charlie is a fan of horror films and books, and even studied gothic literature at university. The first novel in his bestselling zombie-adventure series for teenagers, The Enemy, was published in September 2009.

After leaving university, Charlie formed a band, The Higsons. He then turned to comedy and has starred in TV shows including The Harry Enfield Television Programme, The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer, Shooting Stars and The Fast Show.

Charlie is also a successful adult novelist and has written four thrillers.

Another chance to hear writer Charlie Higson talking about his musical influences.

6 Music takes a look at the musical influences of some of the UK's most successful writers