Catherine Fisher

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Catherine Fisher was born in Newport, Wales. She graduated from the University of Wales with a degree in English and a fascination for myth and history. She has worked in education and archaeology and as a lecturer in creative writing at the University of Glamorgan. She is a Fellow of the Welsh Academy.

Catherine is an acclaimed poet and novelist, regularly lecturing and giving readings to groups of all ages. She leads sessions for teachers and librarians and is an experienced broadcaster and adjudicator. Since the late 1980s she has written children's fantasy. Her nineteen novels have been translated into seventeen languages and many of her novels have won or been shortlisted for literary awards. She lives in Newport, Gwent.

Author's Comment: Q. What influenced you to write fantasy/science fiction novels?

Probably something in my personality—I just liked magical transformations and mythic happenings. I read many many books of folk and fairy tales. So when I began to write it had to be a very rich story, full of unexpected and magical things to keep me interested. Also reading the work of others and wanting to do the same...

Q. The 'Oracle Prophecies' trilogy is a book with a shy protagonist...

People always thought I was shy when I was younger when actually I was just quiet and watchful. Extrovert people always assume 'shy' people are somehow scared, but most of the time I was thinking of how scared they were, not daring to just be themselves.

Nationality: Welsh