I never planned on becoming writer. As a kid, my favorite subjects in school were science and math — I dreamed of becoming a doctor or a pilot. At university I got degrees in science and business; afterwards, I had jobs in the aerospace, biopharmaceutical and financial services industries. I even taught business at college! I finally started writing when I was twenty-eight. My books have won awards and been translated into a dozen languages. My novels include The Gypsy King trilogy and Ortega, and my picture books include the critically acclaimed Buddy and Earl series, InvisiBill, The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold and The Reptile Club.