Michael Scott
Michael Peter Scott (born 28 September 1959) is an Irish writer of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and, under the name Anna Dillon, romance novels. He is also a collector and editor of folklore. Scott is best known for his The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel book series.
Also recorded as Anna Dillon · Michael Peter Scott
Michael Scott
- Name
- Michael Scott
- Birth Name
- Michael Peter Scott
- Born
- 28 September 1959
- Birthplace
- Dublin, Ireland
- Occupation
- Writer
- Nationality
- Ireland
- Known for
- The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
- Languages
- English
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
VALÉORINE documentary reading
Documentary summary
Michael Peter Scott (born 28 September 1959) is an Irish writer of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and, under the name Anna Dillon, romance novels. He is also a collector and editor of folklore. Scott is best known for his The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel book series.
Admitted source layer · organised and presented by VALÉORINE
Note VALÉORINE
No house-authored Note is published until its assertions and sources pass the VALÉORINE evidence contract. The documentary article remains available in full while that enrichment is being consolidated.
Documentary enrichment in progress · no unsupported statement published
Reference Check
Propose documentary evidence for Michael Scott. A contribution is never written directly as fact: identity, source, rights and evidence gates still decide.
Sign in to contribute
Documentary evidence
Evidence Panel
not yet certified
- Identity
- resolved
- Independent source families
- 0
- Admitted assertions
- 0
- Open conflicts
- 0
Authority files
gnd · 117385150X · wikidata · Q562163
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Michael Scott • Pen Name — Anna Dillon • Birth Name — Michael Peter Scott • Born — 28 September 1959 • Birthplace — Dublin, Ireland • Occupation — Writer • Period — 1983–present • Notable Works — The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series • Website — dillonscott.com
Early career
Early career
Scott traveled across Ireland as a dealer of rare and antique books before beginning his writing and directing career.
Writing
Writing
Scott has produced over 100 books in more than 30 years of active writing. He has written short stories and novels for adults, young adults, and children, in many genres including science fiction, fantasy, horror, folklore, and romance. His first book (inspired by his fascination with Irish mythology), Irish Folk and Fairy Tales, volume 1, was published in 1983 and became part of a trilogy documenting a large number of Irish folk tales that had, in some cases, only been told verbally prior to his collection. The Irish Folk and Fairy Tales volumes were the culmination of Scott's extensive travels across Ireland whilst working as a book dealer, documenting the tales he found along the way. When reviewing Scott's The De Danann Tales, the Irish Times described him as "the King of Fantasy in these Isles," and the Irish Children's Book Trust in their Definitive Guide to Children's Books recognized him, for his "unparalleled contribution to Children's Literature". The De Danann Tales was scheduled to be a series of five books but only three were ever published. He also co-authored two books of a projected trilogy with Morgan Llywelyn, and one standalone book. He is best known for his six-book young adult series, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. Scott is also an experienced scriptwriter for stage and screen, having written for a number of projects including documentaries and drama. He once headed up the drama department in Tyrone Productions, the creators of Riverdance. While working there he scripted high-profile events such as the 2003 Special Olympics which were held in Ireland, and the Irish Film and Television Awards. Michael Scott was the Writer in Residence during Dublin's tenure as the European City of Culture in 1991 he featured in the 2006 edition of Who's Who in Ireland as one of the 1,000 "most significant Irish". Scott has also written a number of drama/romance novels under the pseudonym Anna Dillon.
Doctor Who
Doctor Who
On 5 February 2013 Michael Scott was announced as the author of The Nameless City, a short story commissioned by the BBC to celebrate the 50th anniversary year of the TV series Doctor Who. The story features the second Doctor, played by Patrick Troughton and his companion Jamie McCrimmon. It was released on 23 February 2013 as an ebook initially, and featured a special celebratory printed anthology which was released alongside the final e-story on 23 November 2013 by Puffin Books
Styles and genres
Styles and genres
Scott's stated first love is mythology. He says that his background, growing up in Ireland with its rich mythology, led him to be naturally drawn to myths. Irish mythology emerged through history relatively unscathed and uninfluenced as they were not invaded by the Romans or Greeks. History also has a strong impact on his style, as it was his favourite subject in school. However, while he has a special taste for mythology, Scott writes what purely interests him, which has led him to write across many genres and styles. He doesn't restrict himself with genre labelling - he says is only interested in being a writer, not a writer of any specific genre.
Online games
Online games
The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series has spawned online games, the first related online game to be launched was The Codex Master The game is to guess a secret code consisting of a sequence of coloured orbs by inputting various sequences and using logic. When a sequence is entered, indicators show when the player has the right colour and also when a colour is in the right or wrong position to enable them to apply logic and guess the correct sequence. To celebrate the release of The Sorceress an online game was created. It was called The Challenges of the Elder and launched on 21 April 2009. Players are guided through the game, which is a set of four challenges, by video scenes featuring Michael Scott. The first task, the Alchemyst's challenge, required players to assemble a moving jigsaw of the series' logo against a countdown clock. The second task, the Magician's challenge, required players to turn over two books from a series of books and find matching symbols, when a matching pair was found both books burst into flames and disappeared. The task was complete when all the books had been matched. The third task, the Sorceress' challenge was a colour sequencing game where players chose coloured flasks and would have to repeat the sequence that they were shown in. Players then advanced to meet The Elder, who asked them a set of knowledge questions about the books and were given a 'coloured aura ranking' calculated from their scores and time taken to complete the tasks.
Young readers
Young readers
Illustrated • The Piper's Ring (illustrated by Ian Deuchar, 1992); • Fungie and the Magical Kingdom (illustrated by Steve Simpson, 1994); Science Fiction • Doctor Who: The Nameless City (2013)
As Anna Dillon
As Anna Dillon
• Seasons (1988); • Another Time, Another Season (a.k.a. Another Season, 1989); • Season's End (1991); • Lottery (1993) • Lies (1998); • The Affair (2004), • Consequences (2005);
As editor
As editor
• Hall's Ireland (1984) • An Irish Herbal (1986)
Identity
Identity
Michael Scott is recorded with the occupation science fiction writer. Recorded with the occupation young adult author. Recorded as writer, screenwriter and young adult author. Established in Library of Congress under n86045094. Established in FAST under 1971569. Identity and origins. He also worked under the name Anna Dillon. The authorities additionally record the headings Anna Dillon and Michael Peter Scott. His recorded language was English.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 1 entries
1959
Michael Scott was born on 28 September 1959.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Michael Scott was born at Dublin.
Birthplace
Dublin.
Birth place
Books
Books
The first book in Scott's The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel six book series, The Alchemyst, reached #2 on the New York Times Best Seller, Children's list on 26 August 2007 and as of 24 March 2008 it had sold in excess of 150,000 copies. The second book in that series, The Magician, reached #4 on the New York Times Best Seller list on 13 July 2008. The series has to date been printed in 20 languages and is available in 37 countries. He wrote the entire series out of fascination with history and inspiration from other places.
Young adult books
Young adult books
• Illustration — 2015 German translation book cover Fantasy • Tales from the Land of Erin 1: A Bright Enchantment (1985); • Tales from the Land of Erin 2: A Golden Dream (1985); • Tales from the Land of Erin 3: A Silver Wish (1985); • The De Danann Tales 1: Windlord (1991); • The De Danann Tales 2: Earthlord (1992); • The De Danann Tales 3: Firelord (1994); • The De Danann Tales 4: Sealord was scheduled (and its cover published) and apparently written (with possibly even a fifth volume), but nothing was released and the series storyline was never completed. • The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (2007); • The Magician: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (2008); • The Sorceress: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (2009); • The Necromancer: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (2010); • The Warlock: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (2011); • The Enchantress: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (2012); • The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel: The Lost Stories Collection (2021); Folk Tales • Song of the Children of Lir (Dublin: De Vogel Ltd, 1983); also published as The Children of Lir: An Irish Legend (Magnet, Methuen Children's Books, 1986); • The Last of the Fianna (Pied Piper, Methuen Children's Books, 1987); also published as The Last of the Fianna: An Irish Legend (Dublin: O'Brien Press, 1992); • The Quest of the Sons (a.k.a. The Seven Treasures, 1988); • Green and Golden Tales: Irish Hero Tales (collection, 1988); • Green and Golden Tales: Irish Fairy Tales (collection, 1988); • Green and Golden Tales: Irish Animal Tales (collection, 1989); • Saint Patrick (1990) • Magical Irish Folk Tales (collection, 1995); Teen Adventure • Judith and The Traveller (as Mike Scott, 1991); • Judith and Spider (as Mike Scott, 1992); • Good Enough for Judith (as Mike Scott, 1994); Science Fiction • Gemini Game (1994); Illustrated • The Story of Ireland (illustrated by Hemesh Alles) (collection, 1990);
Adult books
Adult books
Horror • October Moon (1992); • Wolf Moon (1995); • House of the Dead (1993); • Vampyre (1995); • Vampyres of Hollywood (with Adrienne Barbeau, 2008); • 19 Railway Street (with Morgan Llywelyn, 1996); • Banshee (1990); • Image (1991) • Reflection (1993); • Imp (1993); • The Hallows (Creed) (1995); • Mirror Image (2016) with Melanie Ruth Rose; Fantasy • A Celtic Odyssey (a.k.a. The Voyage of Maildun, 1985); • Tales of the Bard 1: Magician's Law (1987); • Tales of the Bard 2: Demon's Law (1988); • Tales of the Bard 3: Death's Law (1989); • The Culai Heritage (collection of the Tales of the Bard novels, 2001); • The Arcana 1: Silverhand (with Morgan Llywelyn, 1996); • The Arcana 2: Silverlight (with Morgan Llywelyn, 1996); • The Arcana 3 (with Morgan Llywelyn) The projected third volume was never released and the series storyline never concluded. • Etruscans (with Morgan Llywelyn, 2000); • The Thirteen Hallows (with Colette Freedman, 2011) Folk Tales • Irish Folk & Fairy Tales 1 (collection, 1983) • Irish Folk & Fairy Tales 2 (collection, 1983); • Irish Folk & Fairy Tales 3 (collection, 1984); • Magical Irish Folk Tales (collection, 1985); • Irish Folk & Fairy Tales Omnibus (collection, 1989); • The Navigator (with Gloria Gaghan, a.k.a. The Voyage of St. Brendan, 1988); • River Gods (collection, 1991); • Irish Myths and Legends (collection, 1992); • Irish Ghosts & Hauntings (collection, 1994); Adventure • The Quiz Master (2004); Science fiction • The Merchant Prince (with Armin Shimerman, 2000); Non-fiction • The Book of Celtic Wisdom (1999); • Celtic Wisdom for Business (2001); • Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? (2001); • Ireland (Photopocket) (2004); Illustrated • Ireland — a Graphic History (graphic novel, with Morgan Llywelyn, illustrated by Eoin Coveney, 1995);
Contributions to other books
Contributions to other books
• The BFI Companion to Horror • Ireland • Making Contract • Lifelines 3 • The Lion and the Unicorn • Maths 100 Odyssey 1 • Maths 100 Odyssey 2 • Maths 100 Odyssey 3 • Irish Buildings • Irish Pubs • Irish Castles • Ireland • Ulster Medicine • Trinity College Portfolio
Film adaptation
The film rights to The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series became available in late 2009, and on 19 November 2009 it was announced in Variety Magazine that Lorenzo di Bonaventura had bought the film rights to the series. Michael Scott and Barry Krost will be the executive producers. The script writer has yet to be announced. IMDb now lists The Alchemyst film as "in development" Michael Scott
Primary material
Documents and archives
authority file
- Gemeinsame Normdatei 117385150X, Michael, Scott.
Unverified · Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
institutional register
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q562163: Michael Scott
Unverified · Wikimedia Foundation
Award nominations
Scott's The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series has thus far garnered him 10 literary award nominations. The Alchemyst was the winner of the 2008 Rhode Island Book Award (Teens) after beating 200 other nominated titles. The Alchemyst was nominated for: • Irish Book of the Year 2008 • Kentucky Bluegrass Book Award • Maine Student Book Award • Nevada Young Readers Award • NCSLMA YA Book Award - 2010 • Rhode Island Book Award 2008– (Winner) The Magician was nominated for: • 2009 Irish Book of the Year Award — The Dublin Airport Authority Irish Children's Book of the Year — Snr Category. The Sorceress was nominated for: • Amazon - Best Books of 2009, Top 10 Children's Books: Middle Readers. • Cybills (Children and Young Bloggers Literary Awards) - 2009 Nominations, fantasy & science-fiction: Elementary/Middle Years.
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
authority file
Gemeinsame Normdatei 117385150X, Michael, Scott.Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
Partially resolvedinstitutional register
Wikidata, structured authority record Q562163: Michael ScottWikimedia Foundation
Partially resolved
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 15 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Books
38,960 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- Michael S. HarperAuthor
- Michael S. HartAuthor
- Michael SalcmanAuthor
- Michael ScanlonAuthor
- Michael ShaaraAuthor
- Michael SharkeyAuthor
- Michael SheaAuthor
- Michaël SloryAuthor
Best supported in this field
For owners
Own a work by Michael Scott?
A specialist will read what you send and tell you what the house can establish, what it cannot, and whether the object is suited to sale. There is no charge and no obligation. The object stays with you throughout; nothing is shipped to us unless it is arranged in writing beforehand.