Crime novelist Mark Camilleri has been appointed as the new Executive Chairperson of the National Book Council.

He will replace his namesake – outspoken Mark Camilleri – whose contract as the chair of the council was not renewed by the Education Ministry earlier this year.

Camilleri graduated in History with Bachelors in Education from the University of Malta. He has been an educator for 17 years, and is currently an assistant head at a state-run primary school.

His first short story, Gallo, was published in 2009 and introduced audiences to the fictitious Inspector Victor Gallo. The book’s success was mirrored in a television series which aired to high ratings, for a whole season on ONE TV.

He published his next novel Prime Facie a year later, before following it up with the novels Volens and Nex in 2013 and 2016 respectively.

He has also written a book about the history of Maltese football, which was published in 2018.

Eight other members will be present on the council's board, including Mark Vella as deputy chairperson, Daniela Attard Bezzina, Maria Brown, Aleks Farrugia, Joseph Mizzi, Christopher Gruppetta, Professor John Portelli and Joseph Debattista.

The board’s appointment will last for three years.

Education Minister Justyne Caruana thanked the previous members of the board, and wished the new members well on their new roles.