Katharine Quarmby

Katharine Quarmby grew up in Norfolk in the ’70′s by a river and her fondest memories are of messing about in boats and swimming in the open air. 

She has been a TV and print journalist all her working life. In 2005 she was shortlisted for the Orange Prize (Short Story) Fiction award, for a story about the Rwandan genocide.

Having a three year old daughter who fussed over her food inspired her to write an affectionate rhyming cautionary tale.

 Fussy Freya, a rhyming picture book about a fussy child who is served up a fantastical feast, was published by Frances Lincoln in 2008.

Katharine is now hard at work, developing Fussy Freya into a musical puppet show with a view to production in spring 2012. Her second book, about gardening for children, is in development, and she is also developing a book about a magical carpet.

Her first book for adults, a non-fiction crime book about violence against disabled people, Scapegoat, will be published in June 2011 by Portobello Books.