My life revolves around books!

• I’m a writer specialising in short-form fiction, primarily short stories and memoir but also a little flash fiction.
• I help other authors promote their work, via my Off The Shelf Book Promotions consultancy, creating author websites and prescribing book promotions action plans.
• I published my highly acclaimed handbook for authors, Sell Your Books!, in 2012 and it’s now selling well around the world.
• I’m proud to be an Author Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) and help run its blog of self-publishing advice.
• Like most writers, I also have a day job. I’m lucky that mine is more inspiring than most: part-time coordinator of the wonderful children’s reading charity, Readathon.
• I’m an avid reader and enjoy belonging to a local book group.
• I am an enthusiastic book reviewer, posting book reviews on various sites including my on Off The Shelf Book Reviews page, where I fly the flag for indie authors by reviewing exclusively self-published books.

Ancient History

I now live in a beautiful village in the Cotswolds, England, but I was born and raised  in Sidcup, Kent (pause for cheap cracks from comedians).

I loved school, being lucky enough to go to a wonderful state primary, Days Lane, and, in the days before the 11+ was abolished, one of the last local grammar schools, Beaverwood School for Girls (now a comprehensive).

I enjoyed this quiet suburban childhood till the age of 14, when my family relocated to Germany with my father’s job. I spent four years at Frankfurt International School, broadening my outlook as well as gaining the then brand new IB (International Baccalaureate).

I came back to the UK to earn my BA (Hons) in English and Related Literature at the University of York, then lived and worked for a while in London and the West of England as a journalist and PR consultant. You can find more details of what I did there at My Career).

When I was 30, I moved to the Cotswolds, where I’d decided to live at the age of 3, on a farm holiday near Bourton-on-the-Water. I always knew I’d end up here eventually, but I still love to travel, usually in our family camper van. Every trip leads to a flurry of travelogues on my YoungByName blog.

I regularly tell my  nine year old daughter Laura how lucky she is to be growing up in such a wonderful rural community.  Enid Blyton and the Famous Five would feel quite at home here.

I’ve been married for ten years to a Scot named Gordon whom she met in Swindon – and not, as village rumour once had it, a Swede named Scottie.

I have no intention of ever moving house again.