He had been completely unaware that his short manuscript, titled 'Jonathon Livingstone Seagull', had become a runaway best-seller.

Unfortunately, this success story had a sad sequel. Like many people who suddenly become wealthy, Richard Bach knew very little about managing money. He entrusted his new-found fortune to a financial advisor who led him astray, to tune of millions of dollars.

Within a few years he was broke, and With IRS hounding him for unpaid taxes he was forced to declare himself bankrupt. He signed away all future earnings from 'Jonathon Livingstone Seagull' to government, as well as rights to any future books he might write, and began arduous task of rebuilding his life.

But there was a happy ending: he sacked his financial advisor and wrote a string of new books that were also best-sellers: within a few years he was solvent again and able to buy back rights to all his books.

(c) 2002 by Michael Southon

In 1986, on instructions from his mentor within RAM, Coelho undertook pilgrimage to Santiago di Compostella in Spain.

The following year he published The Pilgrimage, an account of his experiences on 'Road of Santiago'.

In 1988 he wrote book that would make him an international celebrity, The Alchemist, a story about following one's destiny and being open to universe of signs and symbols.

The Alchemist became an instant best-seller and has since sold over 11 million copies worldwide.

Coelho's eight novels have sold over 37 million copies in 56 languages and have been published in 140 countries.

In 1998 French magazine 'Lire' listed Coelho as second best-selling author worldwide.

Paulo Coelho has won over 15 international awards for his writing including prized French award, Insignia of Arts and Letters (1996). Critics have praised his writing for its "symbolic language that does not speak to our brains, but to our hearts".

In 1998 Paulo Coelho was received by Pope in Vatican.

He has been appointed to United Nations as Special Advisor for Spiritual Convergences and International Dialogues.

Coelho's view on happiness: "The most mediocre thing in world. I'd rather go by idea of joy."

(c) 2002 by Michael Southon