To celebrate the 25th anniversary of its first shop, Waterstone's has predicted the next generation of superstars. From a (very) long list put forward by editors and agents Waterstone's staff have selected a list of 25 authors from a range of genres who they believe will forge our reading habits for the next 25 years - at least!

Julia Golding's first novel, THE DIAMOND OF DRURY LANE, a spectacular Georgian mystery starring Cat Royal, feisty ward of the Drury Lane theatre, was published by Egmont in January 2006 and went on to win the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2006 and the Nestle Children's Book Prize 2006. It was also nominated for the Costa Children's Book Award. The sequel, CAT AMONG THE PIGEONS, was published in August 2006, followed by a third title, DEN OF THIEVES, in February this year. A fourth book, CAT O'NINE TAILS, will be published in August and there are nine books planned for the series.

Julia is an impressively busy author: alongside the Cat Royal series, OUP published the four fantasy titles of the Companions Series (THE SECRET OF THE SIRENS, THE GORGON'S GAZE, THE MINES OF THE MINOTAUR, and THE CHIMERA'S CURSE) over 2006 and 2007, and have recently published a stand-alone ghostly pirate story, THE SHIP BETWEEN THE WORLDS. A further fantasy title, DRAGONFLY, is upcoming.

Just published by Egmont on May 1st is RINGMASTER, the first in a new spy girl series starring Darcie Lock. Darcie is an Alex Rider for girls - but she has to rely on her wits rather than on fancy gadgets! Julia has drawn on her experience in the foreign office to create an exotic yet realistic spy thriller.

A clearly very good choice for the list of authors we'll be reading for years to come!