World-famous author Wilbur Smith lives in Malta, where one of his books, Shout at the Devil was made into a film.

This emerges from a long interview Mr Smith gave to The Financial Times on Saturday.

Mr Smith, 76, published his first novel, When the Lion Feeds, in 1964, while he worked for the Inland Revenue in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). The success of this book, which attracted a film deal, prompted Smith to write full time. Just published is his 32nd adventure novel, Assegai.

He grew up on a cattle ranch and spent his childhood hunting and hiking. His mother encouraged him to read widely. He was educated at Rhodes University, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

The author lives in Malta and Cape Town with his fourth wife Mokhiniso, from Tadjikistan.

He told his interviewer: I get such a sense of accomplishment from what I do that, as long as I can keep thinking of words, I will write them down. I start at eight o’clock in the morning and finish at two or three in the afternoon, five days a week.

Among his books: When the Lion Feeds, Gold Mine, Diamond Hunters, Power of the Sword, River God, and The Quest.