"David Almond's books are strange, unsettling, wild things - unfettered by the normal constraints of children's literature. They are, like all great literature, beyond classification." The Guardian

Born 1951 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Grew up in a big Catholic family in Felling-on-Tyne. Much influenced by the local library, family parties, gossip, Tyneside landscapes, allotments, my footballing mates, camping and my uncle's printing works. Degree in English & American Lit from University of East Anglia. Became a postman, hotel porter, teacher. Taught in primary, adult and special education. Spent a year living in a Norfolk commune. Wrote short stories for many years and edited the literary magazine Panurge. Two short story collections published by Iron Press: Sleepless Nights and A Kind of Heaven. First novel took five years to write and was rejected by every UK publisher.

Found myself writing for children/young people after writing Counting Stars, a series of stories based on my own childhood. First children's novel, Skellig (Hodder, 1998), won The Whitbread Prize and The Carnegie Medal. Three novels since then: Kit's Wilderness, Heaven Eyes and Secret Heart. New novel, The Fire-Eaters, to be published 2003. Then the picture book, Kate, The Cat and The Moon, illustrated by Stephen Lambert, in 2004. My work is translated into over 20 languages. Many prizes/awards from around the world, including the Michael L Printz Award (USA), a Silver Pencil and two Silver Kisses (Netherlands).

First children's play, Wild Girl, Wild Boy, has just finished its second national tour. My adaptation of Skellig will be on at the Young Vic in 2003. Currently adapting Heaven Eyes for Pop-Up Theatre. Other stage/film/TV projects in the pipeline

I live in Northumberland with my family, just on the wild side of the Roman Wall.

Contact: The Maggie Noach Literary Agency, 22 Dorville Crescent, London, W6 OHJ.