'Fantasy's growing up. I don't think it'd be stretching things too much to see parallels with science fiction's New Wave of the 1960's. Contemporary fantasy fiction embraces a broader spectrum than ever before. In terms of subject matter and maturity of outlook, not to mention popularity, the genre just might be on the threshold of a golden age.'

Stan's Orcs: First Blood trilogy - Bodyguard of Lightning, Legion of Thunder and Warriors of the Tempest - published by Gollancz, has sold over 200,000 copies worldwide; and the UK omnibus edition of the trilogy is a current bestseller. His associated story ‘The Taking’ was shortlisted for the 2001 British Fantasy Award.

Stan’s twenty-third book, Quicksilver Twilight, is the final volume in the Quicksilver trilogy, beginning with Quicksilver Rising and Quicksilver Zenith. In 2006 Stan returns to the Orcs series and Gollancz with the publication of a new trilogy entitled Orcs: Bad Blood.

Most of his books are in the fantasy and science fiction genres, and he has written for both adult and young readers. His titles include Strange Invaders, Fade to Black, The Nightshade Chronicles trilogy and Wordsmiths of Wonder: Fifty Interviews With Writers of the Fantastic. He adapted David Gemmell’s Legend and Wolf in Shadow into graphic novel form; novelised the TV series Dark Skies, and wrote authorised biographies of puppet-master Gerry Anderson and soap star William Roache. Stan’s books have been published in more than 20 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, Spain and the US.

Before taking up writing full-time in 1981, he co-owned and managed West London bookstore Bookends, and managed specialist sf bookshop Dark They Were and Golden Eyed. He was Forbidden Planet’s first manager, and helped establish and run the New York branch.

A journalist for national and specialist publications, and the Internet, he was for six years Time Out magazine’s sf and fantasy book reviewer, and has reviewed popular science titles for the magazine.

Stan is married to psychotherapist Anne Nicholls, who writes self-help books and journalism under that name, and sf/fantasy as Anne Gay.

You can find Stan's own website at www.stannicholls.com

Stan is published by Gollancz and Voyager in the UK