Are You Sitting Comfortably? Then I'll Begin...

Some would-be writers plan, research and eventually write their first books, hoping for publication. My first book wasn't like that. It crept up behind me and jumped.

In my late thirties I found myself disabled and in a lot of pain. I sought to address the subject of pain by studying Systematic Theology and Church History, reckoning that the answers to life's questions are to be found in Scripture and his His Story (History). My Church History professor asked to see my extensive notes and he showed them to a friend, who was a publisher. The first time publication crossed my mind was when the publisher phoned and asked if my notes could be published as a book. See what I mean? It really did creep up behind me and jump!

Since then I've written about 50 books, all for Christian Focus Publications. Thirty of them are for children (probably the Ten Boys / Ten Girls series is best known) and have translations in 15 languages and also in braille. Nearly all of my books are about real people, none of them glitzy but all of them truly great. Why not take a look at Irene's children's books in our Irene Howat Department.

Troubled by children being brought up on celebrity culture rather than real heroes and heroines, Irene came up with a way to address that through her Story-a-Month Club for 7 to 13 year olds. On the first of each month members will receive by email their newly-written story about a Christian hero or heroine along with the same story in pictures to be coloured and an activity sheet based on that month's character. Find out more info about the club at www.story-a-month-club.org.uk.

On the run up to Christmas why not grab a copy of Ten Girls Who Changed the World or Ten Boys Who Made a Difference and start inspiring the next generation to be truly heroic for God.