Trivia

Was 21 when his first novel was published (Less Than Zero, 1985) while Bret was still a student at Bennington College).

Received numerous death threats and hate mail after the publication of his graphically violent novel American Psycho. Today, the novel is considered by many his best work yet.

Has cross-referenced characters in his books. For example, Blair and Julian from "Less Than Zero" are mentioned in "The Informers", Sean Bateman from "The Rules of Attraction" is the younger brother of Patrick Bateman in "American Psycho".

His influences include: Hemingway, Joan Didion, Joyce, Flaubert, and Dennis Cooper; plus books, movies, TV and rock and roll.

In his novel "American Psycho", he borrowed a character from Tana Janowitz's short story collection "Slaves of New York" (Stash) and a character from Jay McInerney's book "Story of My Life" (Alison Poole). In a recent interview he said that the inclusion of Alison Poole was because he was upset at McInerney over something (he couldn't recall) and his revenge was to have her attacked by Patrick Bateman. She then appeared in his novel "Glamorama."

Played keyboards in some new wave bands in the early 1980s.

Simon and Schuster gave him a $300,000 advance for American Psycho then refused to publish it after women's groups and women within the company protested. Luckily, the book was picked up by Vintage.

Is a fan of Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen.

His favorite movie is contempt.

Is close friends with fellow novelist Jay McInerney.

Working on his 7th novel and sequel to "Less Than Zero", entitled "Imperial Bedrooms". Expected release is 2010. (February 2009)

He has said that he is always working on a new book. he just needs to choose which one to publish.

Graduated from the Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, California.