Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Jeffrey Archer Discusses Indian Readers and His Literary Success
Jeffrey Archer is a writer whose books have many readers in India.
He said his books are released there first because so many people read them and because pirated copies can appear quickly.
He was surprised when one of his books stayed at the top of the Indian bestseller list for 16 weeks.
Archer said the Clifton Chronicles draws partly on the English region where he grew up.
At the time of the interview, he had finished a first draft of its third book.
He enjoys writing both novels and short stories.
He said he would not write a whole novel set in India because he did not know the country well enough.
He has read several Indian authors and named R. K. Narayan as his favourite.
Archer said India was his largest fan base, with 50 million readers of Kane and Abel.
He said his book The Sins of the Father was released in India first because of its readership and concerns about piracy.
Only Time Will Tell stayed at No. 1 in India for 16 weeks, a success Archer said surprised him.
Archer described the Clifton Chronicles as partly semi-autobiographical and said its third book was due in March the following year.
He praised R. K. Narayan and said he would continue writing short stories with Indian characters, but not a full-length novel set in India.
- Who
- Author Jeffrey Archer, discussing his books and Indian readers.
- What
- An interview about Archer’s books, writing, readership in India, and literary interests.
- When
- The interview date is not stated; Archer refers to plans for the following March and an India visit early the next year.
- Where
- The discussion focuses on India, with Archer also describing writing in Majorca and breaks in London.
- Why
- Archer says India has a large readership for his books and explains why his books are released there first.
- Indian readership
- Archer said 50 million people in India had read Kane and Abel.
- India-first release
- He cited his large Indian fan base and concerns about pirated editions.
- Bestseller run
- Only Time Will Tell remained at No. 1 in India for 16 weeks.
- Clifton Chronicles
- Archer said the series is set in England’s West Country and is partly semi-autobiographical.
- Third volume
- Archer said he had completed its first draft and that it would be published in March the following year.
- Favourite Indian author
- Archer named R. K. Narayan and called Malgudi Days a work of genius.
- Writing routine
- In Majorca, Archer said he writes in four daily sessions, from 6–8 a.m., 10 a.m.–noon, 2–4 p.m., and 6–8 p.m.