If we don't value the people who inspire us (and money is one mark of that) then what kind of culture are we building?

History at its best is a gritty, dirty business.

As an historical novelist - there are few jobs more retrospective.

Books have a vital place in our culture. They are the source of ideas, of stories that engage and stretch the imagination and most importantly, inspire.

A book is a story, even if it's non-fiction, and once I've read it, I have the story with me inside my head always.

I've always had a keen sense of history. My father was an antiques dealer and he used to bring home boxes full of treasures, and each item always had a tale attached.

Grabbing readers by the imagination is a writer's job.