Lee Child

Did not start writing until he was 40 years old though he learned to read at age 3.

[on how Jack Reacher got his name] We went out shopping to the supermarket and a little old lady comes up to me and says, 'You're a nice tall chap, could you reach me that can?' So Jane said, 'Hey, if this writing thing doesn't pan out you could always be a reacher in a supermarket.' I thought, Reacher: good name.