Some of my earliest childhood memories are of gazing at the books in the library where I'd go every week with my mother. Eventually, aged about five or six, I was allowed my own library ticket - so long as I could write my name and address without any mistakes.

How I practised spelling words like 'Causeway' and Warwickshire' and can still remember standing at the library counter filling in that little card with the librarian looking on.

I never dreamed of becoming a writer however until I left my secretarial job to have my three children. Then, discovering an overwhelming desire to write, but not sure how to go about it, I took a correspondence course, read every book on the subject, and attended as many seminars and author talks that I possibly could.

Meanwhile I continued writing – everything from producing a parish magazine, to magazine articles and stories, and even pantomime scripts (which included directing, painting scenery and  occasionally acting – my biggest role being the back end of the pantomime cow!).

I also started working for my local evening newspaper as a freelance reporter on  'grassroots' stories – which eventually led to being taken on as a feature writer – which I still do today, part time.
My first success with novel writing came in the mid 1990s, when Scholastic took my first book, a Hippo Mystery called Cry Danger. Another five books followed with Scholastic. And most recently Usborne have published my latest three – The Beast, The Reawakening and Rampage.

As a writer for children, I often get invited to go into schools to talk to the children and do writing workshops which is great. And on the non-fiction side of things, I get to delve behind the scenes in all kinds of situations and scenarios – which is also pretty interesting!

I'm currently working on a time slip novel for older children, called Hidden set in my home city of Coventry.

My website is: www.annevansbooks.co.uk

PUBLISHED WORKS

• Cry Danger
• Disaster Bay
• Deadly Hunter
• Fishing For Clues
• Stealing The Show
• Pointing The Finger
• The Beast
• The Reawakening
• Rampage

WORK IN PROGRESS

• Hidden – a time-slip story.