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From Mainstream- to Self-Published From Mainstream- to Self-Published Children’s and historical fiction author Ann Turnbull discusses her writing and publishing journey Author profile
Ann Turnbull’s love of writing began at a very early age, and by the time she was 10, she knew she wanted to be a writer. In her mid-teens, she was tapping out stories on a typewriter her parents had given her and one short story earned her a place at the Writers’ Summer School at Swanwick. With growing confidence, Ann started sending her stories to publishers in hope someone would see their potential and give her an opportunity. She learned shorthand and typing at school, and at seventeen she left to take up work as a secretary, while continuing to write in her spare time. But by her late twenties Ann began to feel that she would never be published and, wanting a change of direction, she decided to train as a teacher. “I read a lot of modern children’s books as part of my course,” recalled Ann. “I absolutely loved them and thought, I could do that.” Ann set to work on a new story, and once she was happy with it, sent it off to a publisher. It took just one rejection before she received the acceptance letter she was hoping for. Her first book was published in 1974. Since then, Ann has written about 40 books for children and young adults. Many are based around historical events and do an incredible job of bringing facts, dates and history to life. She has written stand-alone stories set in different centuries, a trilogy about the early Quakers, a collection of Greek myths and a trio of books for younger children about significant 17th Century events - the Gunpowder Plot, the Plague and The Great Fire of London. The first book in Ann’s Quaker trilogy for teens, No Shame, No Fear, was shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Prize and the Whitbread Book Award (now known as the Costa Book Award). Ann has self-published two books with SilverWood: her latest story, In That Time of Secrets, and a new edition of a previously published book, Deep Water. 29
