Cirrus@Austlit

Pike first came to Australia as a young seaman soon after the Second World War. He worked as a railway fettler, station hand and timber-cutter before returning to England to join the British Army. In the 1960s he began writing for Man magazine, and has since contributed to travel magazines and newspapers. Also in the 1960s he was appointed as Regional Creative Director in South-East Asia for the advertising agency McCann-Erikson International, and was based in their Hong Kong office.

He has lived for many years in Sydney with his Hong Kong-born wife, continuing to travel extensively in Asia, and working as a creative consultant. As well as his novels, he has written The Power of Chi (1980), Youth and Beauty Secrets of the Orient (1983, written with Phyllis Pike) and The Power Is You ([1989?], written with Phyllis Pike). He has also co-written screenplays for a number of films, including two featuring the main character of his Henry Golightly novels. With Bryce Courtenay (q.v.), in 1997 he created a series of 'Yowie' products, including children's books, 'Yowie' chocolates produced by Cadbury Australia, and an animated television series.