MY BIOGRAPHY :

I was born in Teesside, NE England, in 1969. I enjoyed a traditional 1970’s childhood, watching too much TV and eating convenience food because nobody minded if kids did that in those days. Since graduating from Leicester University, where I studied English Language and Literature, I’ve worked in advertising and as a management consultant. In 2010 I was proud to be awarded an honorary doctorate of Letters from Teesside University.

I’ve always dreamed of being a writer and my first novel - Playing Away – was published in 2000; that year the Evening Standard identified me as one of London’s ‘Twenty Faces to Watch’, which was very nice of them!

I like to keep busy and to be described as one of the most-loved and biggest-selling women’s fiction writers in the UK, (who wouldn’t like that?!) One and a half million copies of my work have been sold in the UK and I’m translated into 25 different languages. I’ve published ten novels in ten years, all of which have been Times Top Ten bestsellers. Men I’ve Loved Before, my tenth novel, examines those undeniable, lasting issues that seem to interest us all. It scrutinizes our theories of love, motherhood and infidelity with (I hope) honesty and humour. I’m known for examining the thorny issues of the lives we lead today with my trademark, up-front, tell-it-as-it-is style.

I write numerous articles and short stories for national magazines and newspapers and often appear on radio and TV talking about my work and related matters. Once I get going, it’s quite hard to shut me up.

I passionately believe that reading is a basic right. Since 2006 I’ve been heavily involved with
World Book Day. In 2008 I wrote a Quick Read, Happy Families as part of the celebrations of World Book Day, which went on to win Quick Read Learners’ Favourite Award, as voted for by the public. I’ve worked with The National Literacy Trust in an effort to apply pressure on political parties and individual MPs to adopt effective literacy policies and to place greater importance on literacy as part of their manifestos. I’m currently involved in The National Literacy Trust’s latest project which is highlighting the importance of parents reading with their kids. That campaign is called, Tell Me a Story.

In 2010 I was one of the judges for the Costa Awards an amazing experience.