As a child, I was a real bookworm. Sadly, in my local library we were only allowed to borrow two books at a time, which wasn’t enough for me - especially on a Saturday, when I had often finished my new books by lunchtime. When I grew up, I decided, I would become a librarian myself, so I could spend my entire day surrounded by books, spend lots of money on them and talk about them all day long. Sorted!

My favourite authors in childhood were the good old classics like C.S. Lewis and E. Nesbit, and then later on, Alan Garner, followed by all the great American sci-fi authors like Arthur C Clarke, Isaac Asimov et al. I desperately wanted to believe that magic did exist – and I remain completely fascinated by the idea of parallel or alternative worlds, or ‘off-world’ experiences. From an early age, I wanted there to be somewhere else. Animals having the power of speech is also a favourite fantasy of mine.

I write the sort of stories I want to read and I love inventing new fantasy creatures, like the Natterstones in Stone Beetles, the Humorses in Twistling and the Moss Babies in Fire-Crystal. And of course, there is plenty of magic in my books, as well as mystery and adventure.

Back on Planet Earth, I live in West Yorkshire with my husband and two sons, and I advise teachers and students about books and libraries. I was the project leader in its early years of the Leeds Children’s Book Award – to encourage today’s children to love their books as much as I used to. In my spare time, you will catch me walking my dog Holly down a local lane that appears in Fire-Crystal and which has, I am convinced, certain mystical properties. If only Holly could really talk to me, I am sure she would agree...

WORK IN PROGRESS

• The Legends of Lunaris
  • Stone Beetles
  • Twisting
  • Fire-Crystal