"My name is PHYLLIS BURTON and I am married with three grown-up children and seven grandchildren. I live amongst the beautiful west-Surrey hills in Southern England, which have given me the inspiration to write: I love putting my thoughts and those of my characters down on paper. I started writing for my children and eventually moved on to bigger things. Now, I read my stories to my grandchildren. I've written quite a few short stories, one of which was recorded and read on radio, and two short-listed in competitions. I have written three one-act plays, (one produced and directed by me). I love singing and enjoy water-colour painting. PAPER DREAMS (my second novel) is being published by MATADOR on 1st December, 2011. The idea started as a tiny seed and just like Pinocchio's nose, it grew. There is a romantic thread running throuhout the story which covers such diverse subjects as love and its loss, books, letters, family sorrow, obsessions, inheritance, greed, dreams, nightmares and attempted murder. But above all, it is a story of people's lives, their loves and how they eventually overcome adversity. Since writing this story, I've found myself feeling a little sorry for my central character Katie, who is described as being a bit of a dreamer: she has to endure some truly traumatic episodes, but like all true heroines, she wins out in the end... I've always had an insatiable appetite for reading, and tend to panic if I can't find a book to read. I like to think that I have inspired my elder son to write too - he will be publishing his second story soon. My daughter is a copy editor and keeps us all on our toes! My husband, not to be outdone, is now writing his memoirs. I feel quite excited as the publication date of PAPER DREAMS approaches. Every author wishes their work to do well and I am no exception." -Phyllis J. Burton