Eoin Colfer is one of Ireland's most successful authors. His hugely popular eight-book series, Artemis Fowl, is finally destined for a big-screen adaptation after being held up for years. Harvey Weinstein was set to be the film's producer, but in light of the recent allegations against him, he has been removed from the project by Disney.
Eoin describes himself as "very hands-off" with the production, which is being written by Conor McPherson: "He rings up every now and then and uses me as a sounding board."
Aside from Artemis Fowl, Eoin has many other projects going on. His new graphic novel, Illegal, deals with migration, telling the story of a boy's journey across the Mediterranean from Africa to Europe. It is currently Book of the Week in both the Times and the Guardian.
"A million people attempted the crossing last year, and that's a conservative estimate," Eoin says of his interest in the subject. "Half a million kids die from malnutrition every year, and there are cases where there's no parents and the oldest kid goes because they have to find some way to keep the younger kids alive."
He says the book is suitable for all ages, "from nine to ninety."
"If you're able to read it, you can read it. There are no metaphors - this is what happens. Everything in this book happens to someone or other."
There is great variety in Eoin's work. As well as books, he has been involved in writing plays and musicals. His latest play, My Real Life, was inspired by a friend who was diagnosed with MS. It will feature at the Wexford Opera Festival later this month.
"It's a great position to be in where I get calls to do stuff," he says. "I'm very lucky in that I made a good living from Artemis Fowl and continue to do so, but if you can stretch yourself, why wouldn't you?"
He admits that while he is finished with that particular character for now, returning to Artemis in the future is always a possibility.
