David Almond

Born in Newcastle and raised in a big family in Felling-on-Tyne, David Almond studied English and American Literature at the University of East Anglia and soon turned to teaching. While working as a primary school teacher, he penned short stories that became published in the odd magazine here and there, and his growing devotion to writing eventually resulted in Skellig (1998), a touching and tender tale for children which won the Whitbread Children’s Award and the Carnegie Medal. This very well-received novel was followed by Kit’s Wilderness (1999) and a clutch of other literary beauties – Clay, for instance, which he has discussed on Meet the Author – and he is now set to work the same magic with My Name is Mina, the brilliant sequel to Skellig. Almond currently lives with his family in Northumberland, and details on his work can be found on his website.

David Almond has discussed getting published for Times Online and has been interviewed for January Magazine.