Claire Cowling - Profile

Photo of Claire Cowling, Picture taken by Dr Stephen Cowling

I became a freelance writer in 2007, after a career in teaching, followed by a long period as a stay-at-home parent. My background has always been literature-based, however, as I have a BA (Hons) in English Language and Literature, and have written for as long as I can remember. My short stories have been accepted for publication in both the UK and in America.

I enjoy reading literature in any form, but have a particular fondness for the short story. I also have extensive experience of reading and evaluating books for children. When I was teaching, I was the subject leader for literacy, which allowed me to develop a substantial knowledge of the reading matter that children enjoy.

Apart from writing, which I tend to do anywhere and everywhere, my time is taken up with reading, drawing and caring for ever-growing colonies of pet hamsters and guinea-pigs (all of which are meant to belong to the children!).