Theresa Tomlinson

Theresa spent much of her childhood living in North Yorkshire and Cleveland. Having qualified as a teacher, she spent five years working in primary schools, before leaving to look after her own three children.

It was during this period as a full-time mother that she started producing home made picture books with very simple stories to entertain her children. As the children grew, the stories got longer, until she realised that she was spending all her spare time writing. She now writes full time and particularly enjoys working on historical themes. "I love to create a detailed picture of a chosen group of people living in a particular place and time."

Theresa's historical novels include The Herring Girls, The Flither Pickers and The Rope Carrier, which evince Theresa's interest in Britain's industrial heritage. A feminist reworking of the Robin Hood stories became the foundation of The Forestwife trilogy and, most recently, Theresa has delved into ancient Greek history with The Moon Riders.

Theresa has twice been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, most recently with Meet Me By The Steelmen.