Jeanne Willis was born in St Albans. She has always wanted to be a children's author, and she spent her childhood writing and designing comics for her neighbours. Her first book was accepted when she was 21, and it established her career as a successful writer. She has had over 30 children's books published, for all age groups, including poetry. Her first novel for Faber, The Hard Man of the Swings, won the North East Book Award. She is married with two children, and lives in North London.
