PLEASED TO MEET YOU

The release of my first book with Austin Macauley seems like a good time to introduce myself and my work to all my readers and potential readers.

I have been interested in reading and creative writing ever since I can remember. As a child I didn’t have a laptop or a mobile ‘phone so, when I was naughty, nothing could be confiscated. My punishment was being sent to my room and I loved it! It gave me more time to read. I enjoyed writing stories and poems and this continued throughout my adult working life when I used to write humorous poems for colleagues. When I was the Secretary of my local Scout group, I noticed that parents rarely read the newsletter that was sent home – that is, until I wrote it in poetic, comedic form!

I used to make up stories and poems for my own children and one of these became my first book, called Sick – a comedic poem about the importance of handwashing with soap. Yes, very topical now! The illustrations were done by my very talented son, who has a degree in graphic design and illustration.

At the time I became a teacher, it very difficult to find material or resources that were differentiated to suit students with Special Educational Needs so I wrote my own. I am pleased to say that some of those resources are still in use today.

When I began working at Shenfield High School, in Essex, I met Alby Dobinson, the subject of my book The Boy Who Refused to Die. My husband already worked there and had been overwhelmed by Alby’s courage. The story of his determination to beat the odds that were so clearly stacked against him just HAD to be told and I feel privileged to have been allowed to do just that!

I am really excited about the release of The Boy Who Refused to Die and hope that all my readers will be uplifted by Alby’s story – a story of courage and determination. Although it’s a true story I think that readers will appreciate why it was written as a novel, with the experiences of those close to Alby interwoven with what happened to him. Some of it will make you cry and some of it will make you laugh but, whatever you do, please enjoy it.

 

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