Anne Hampson is one of the best-loved and most successful of all Harlequin Mills & Boon authors, with millions of fans worldwide.

Anne writes:

At age six I had two ambitions: to teach and to write.

Poverty after WWI deprived me of an education and at 14 I was making Marks & Spencer's blouses at one shilling (5p) each. Later, when my marriage broke up, I was homeless with £40 in my purse. I went back to the rag trade and lived in a tiny caravan. But I never forgot my two ambitions, and when Manchester University decided to trial older women I applied, and three years later had achieved one ambition, so set my thoughts on number two.

My first novel, Eternal Summer, was accepted five days from posting and I soon had a contract for 12 more. From the caravan I went to a small stately home, drove a Mercedes and sailed on the QE2.

I have written my autobiography, entitled Fate Was My Friend.

From the first book, came over 150 more written for Mills & Boon, Harlequin and Silhouette. I have the distinction of being number one in Harlequin Presents, Masquerade and Silhouette.

Alan Boon and I came up with the title for ‘Harlequin Presents’ over lunch at the Ritz. I suggested to Alan that we have a historical series. He told me to write one - it was done in a month, entitled Eleanor and the Marquis.

I have had 3 awards, one at the World Trade Centre where I received a standing ovation from my American fans, who had come from many states just to meet me.

Many of "Presents" have been reprinted many times (some as many as 16) and are now fetching up to $55, being classed as "rare" books.

Ten years ago I retired, but last year I wrote a romance and a crime novel, both of which were published by Severn House. I have nearly finished my second crime title.