I love words so much, in my spare time
I write biographies.
The Extraordinary
Life of E Nesbit
“A lively, concise account of an
interesting complex woman”
Dame Jacqueline Wilson
A groundbreaker in every sense, the Edwardian author Edith Nesbit (1858 – 1924) changed children’s books forever with her much-loved novels The Railway Children and Five Children and It. This new biography, published 160 years since Nesbit’s birth, includes a foreword by Dame Jacqueline Wilson. The book includes interviews with Jenny Agutter and Bernard Cribbins, who appeared in the beloved 1970 film of The Railway Children.
Published by Pen & Sword, August 2018
The Real
Kenneth Grahame
“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”
Despite being written 110 years ago, The Wind in the Willows continues to be one of English literature’s most beloved books. But the great tragedy is that this happy tale was written in great sadness by its author Kenneth Grahame, who was born in Edinburgh in 1859. Includes an interview with Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey), who adapted the stage musical The Wind in the Willows.
Published by Pen & Sword, 2021
The Life of PL Travers, author of Mary Poppins
“I don't wish it to be known if I am man, woman or kangaroo." PL Travers
Mary Poppins is a publishing phenomenon of eight books written across 55 years, translated into 20 languages, including Swahili. The 1964 Disney film starring Julie Andrews remains one of the most popular children’s movies of all time. Yet the author was famously elusive: PL Travers was born in outback Australia in the penultimate year of the 19th century. This new biography sheds light on a deeply spiritual, inspiring woman who wanted to convey in her writing more than carpet bags, tea on the ceiling and talking parrots.
To be published by Pen & Sword, January 2026, with a foreword by
Lina Slavova (themarypoppinseffect.com)