Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks

A FEW RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME:

• I was born in Beverley, a town in Yorkshire, which means legally I’m allowed to graze a cow there. (I have yet to claim this right!)

• I have identical twin brothers with non-identical personalities.

• I was diagnosed as autistic in 2023.

• Many years ago, I auditioned to play Lyra in the film version of His Dark Materials.

• My favourite books growing up were, His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman (of course), the Inkheart series by Cornelia Funke, Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild, Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson, and everything by Jacqueline Wilson.

• Some amazing books I’ve read more recently are Paper Dragons by Siobhan McDermott, Dream Hunters by Nazima Pathan, Hedgewitch by Skye McKenna, Starminster by Megan Hopkins, Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by Tọlá Okogwu, Casander Darkbloom and the Threads of Power by P.A. Staff, Fireborn by Aisling Fowler, the Cosima Unfortunate books by Laura Noakes, Aliya and the Infinite City by Laila Rafaat, The Whisperwicks by Jordan Lees and many, many more!

Philippa Leathley grew up in East Yorkshire, spending summers near London with her eccentric grandparents and writing feverishly as soon as she could hold a pen. When not writing, she enjoys learning new languages, studying anything from historical fashion to shipwrecks, and is passionate about protecting the environment. She currently lives just outside Hull with her family and three weird and wonderful rescue cats, Bram, Lyra and Theo the Brave.

Her debut children’s book, INKBOUND: METICULOUS JONES AND THE SKULL TATTOO, is due to be published by HarperCollins on 30th January 2025 in the UK and on the 28th January in the US. She’s represented by Hannah Sheppard at HS-LA.