Pauline Fisk

Pauline Fisk was born in London, but her roots are in Guernsey from which her mother fled during its Occupation in the Second World War. Her first book, a collection of short stories, was published in her early twenties, but she didn't make writing her career until her first novel, 'Midnight Blue', was shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Book Award and then went onto win the Smarties Grand Prix in 1990.

Since then Pauline has written novels for young adults to great critical acclaim, many drawing on the myths and legends of Shropshire, where she now lives. She is currently celebrating twenty-one years since her Smarties win with an anniversary e-book version of 'Midnight Blue' which, in a new departure, she has brought out herself.

For Pauline, life as a writer has always been about having adventures. Her books blend the gritty realism of modern life with that sense of otherworldliness which comes from magic realism. 'Flying for Frankie' - about young people coming to terms with the limits of friendship in the face of terminal illness - was long-listed for the Carnegie Medal. Her latest novel, 'In the Trees' - about gap year volunteering as a modern rite of passage - saw Pauline Fisk heading out to Belize on a fact finding trip during which she trekked in the jungle and met Belize's indigenous Kekchi-Mayan people. It was, she says, one of the highlight of her life.

If you want to know more about Pauline Fisk, her writing life, blog or books, go to www.paulinefisk.co.uk. And, for her other blogging activities, go to www.authorselectric.blogspot.com where, along with other professional writers, she explores the world of e-books.