The Bat that Flits

Norman Richard Collins (1907 - 1982) was born in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. In his early career he worked in publishing while also writing and publishing several successful novels. In 1941 Collins began working at the BBC. During this time he became known for his innovative programming which included Woman's Hour which still airs today on BBC Radio Four. He rose to Controller of the BBC Television Service, later leaving to co-found what is now ITV after deciding a competitior to the BBC's monopoly was needed .

Collins continued to write fiction throughout his busy working life. Although never a full-time writer he was a fluent and prolific author with sixteen titles and two plays to his credit between 1934 and 1981. An autograph edition of twelve of his novels was published during the 1960s.