Saul Miller

Born in Northumberland but brought up in County Clare, Ireland and in Berkshire, England, I returned to Northumberland some years ago. I work as a family doctor who also teaches family medicine to junior doctors.

My interest in writing has been lifelong but it is only in the last few years that I have found my niche: writing books for children aged 8-12 years. I was inspired by the feeling that I was reading too many books with my own children that were not really very good.

Of course, there are many authors who have impressed me with their ability: Cressida Cowell's "How to Train Your Dragon' series is so imaginative; Philip Pullman's books for this age group are well crafted; I love the deceptive simplicity with which Michael Morpurgo covers difficult subjects; and I am in awe of Roald Dahl for the seemingly endless appeal of his books.

I test everything I write on the audience at home first. Their polite "That's OK!" responses have long since stopped. Now, they are increasingly insisting on changes before I publish. They are tough but fair!