Iain Banks has been a library stalwart for the past two decades, writing both mainstream fiction and science fiction, the latter under the name Iain M Banks. 

Born in 1954 in Scotland, Iain started writing at an early age, writing his first book, The Hungarian Lift-Jet, at age 16. He found mainstream fame at the age of 30 when The Wasp Factory was published in 1984. The deal with his publisher was to write a book a year, enabling him to become a full-time writer.

Iain’s work has found outlets in  TV and radio, and Iain himself has appeared as a guest on the occasional celebrity talk show.

Iain was also prolific in his political commentary and opinion, having been a major contributor the the public outcry against the British involvement in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.  He went as far as cutting up his passport and posting it to then Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Iain published 27 novels, the last, The Quarry is set to be released next week. He died from cancer of the gallbladder at the age of 59.