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I came into children's fiction from a career in teaching English language and literature in secondary schools (11-18 years). Mostly, I write fiction for 8 - 15 year olds (about twenty published books so far), although I occasionally dabble in other things. I'm best known for 'Bully' (Random House, Red Fox, and Back-to-Front publishers) and 'Not Dressed Like That, You Don't! (Piccadilly Press, Puffin, Back-to-Front).

I accept creative writing residencies workshops/seminars etc whenever I get the chance (once a teacher, always a teacher...) and I'm currently a Writing Fellow with the Royal Literary Fund here in the UK.

Like most writers, I have another string to my bow - under my married name (Quirk) I am an indpendent consultant in sfageuarding and protection of children and vulnerable adults. Lately, I have become increasingly interested in ways of using creative writing in safeguarding and child protection, both therapeutically and in keeping safe/child abuse prevention work. I'm still working out how best to develop this. Meanwhile, I have just accepted a commission to write a 'how-to' book on children's fiction for the new Arvon series, which will hopefully be published in 2012 or 2013.

I came into children's fiction from a career in teaching English language and literature in secondary schools (11-18 years). Mostly, I write fiction for 8 - 15 year olds (about twenty published books so far), although I occasionally dabble in other things. I'm best known for 'Bully' (Random House, Red Fox, and Back-to-Front publishers) and 'Not Dressed Like That, You Don't! (Piccadilly Press, Puf... More