Derek Landy (born 1973 born in Lusk, County Dublin) is an Irish author and screenwriter. He has written two screenplays that have been made into films -- the IFTA award winning Dead Bodies and the IFTA nominated Boy Eats Girl starring Samantha Mumba. Landy himself was nominated for an IFTA for Best Script. Landy later moved onto writing the Skulduggery Pleasant novels, starting with Skulduggery Pleasant, published by Harper Collins which according to The Sunday Times paid 1 million euro for the publishing rights.
The second book of the series Skulduggery Pleasant: Playing With Fire was released in 2008 while third book in the series entitled Skulduggery Pleasant: The Faceless Ones has yet to be released in the US (Release date: September 1, 2009). (At the same time, a reprint of the first book in paperback was released as Scepter of the Ancients.) He attended Drogheda Grammar School during his childhood years and also has a black belt in kenpo karate.
Since the age of 3 Landy has suffered from a stutter.

Literary Success

In December 2005 Landy finished the manuscript for Skulduggery Pleasant, this went on to achieve critical and financial success when released worldwide. Reviews have swayed the novel's way and has captured the attention of both readers worldwide and Warner Bros., who currently possess the rights to the franchise. A movie is rumoured to be expected for 2010, though the disrepancy behind the project is undeniable and after an interview he clearly stated there would be film however it won't be in 2010, it may be later; very few individuals have been singled out to be tied with the project.