Catherine Cooper, 54, qualified as a primary school teacher in 1978 and went on to teach at schools in Shropshire. But all the time she was teaching, she was planning a series of books that she would write when she had retired.
A Second Career
Her opportunity came sooner than she imagined when she had to retire because of ill health. "I did the research for four books while I was ill, thinking I was going to go back to school thinking I might as well do something to keep my brain active," she said.
"Then it became obvious that I couldn’t go back. But every cloud has a silver lining, and having time on my hands I began writing the books for children. I have difficulty walking now but this has been a blessing. It's given me a second lease of life."
Brit Writers' Awards 2010
The story of Jack Brenin, a golden acorn, talking ravens and mischievous Spriggins won the Brit Writers' Awards 2010 for unpublished writers – the largest ever UK creative writing competition, with over 21,000 entries and a cash prize of £10,000.
As part of her prize, Catherine has now seen her fantasy novel, which is aimed at children aged nine and over, published by Infinite Ideas. But she said she was amazed to win as she had never thought she could scoop the top prize.
“I wasn’t going to enter it to start with, but I thought if I get it into the competition and I can get to the final, I can put on the cover ‘finalist of the BWA’," she said. "Then I went on to win it and I came back with awards for best stories for children on the night and the overall best writer of the year. With that came a publishing deal so I’m now with a four-book deal."
Local History from the Shropshire Countryside
The stories Catherine writes have a definite local flavour being set in the Shropshire countryside, where she lives. Although she has made a few name changes – for example the Wrekin becomes Glasruhen Hill – many settings will still be familiar to Shropshire-based readers.
"I love Shropshire and the countryside," she said. "The map at the front of the book is what I look out at every day from my study. The Wrekin had to be in there."
• The Golden Acorn: The Adventures of Jack Brenin, book 1 by Catherine H. Cooper is available now for £7.99.
Pam Griffin - Pam Griffin is a journalist working in Shropshire, UK. She is interested in first aid, singing and playing music, history, and ...
