William the Conqueror: Nowhere to Hide (Before They Were Famous) by Caroline Corby BSc Hons Mathematics & Statistics

by Caroline Corby

Paperback

About the author

Caroline Corby was born and brought up in Camden Town, London. She was the second of four children - three girls and a boy. As a child Caroline loved reading, particularly historical novels, history and biographies. She still buys every political biography on the day it's published. Caroline went to the local school. She lived in the same street as her two best friends and together they would walk there and back, usually taking much more time than they should have. She still often runs late.

After leaving school, Caroline studied Mathematics and Statistics at Bristol University before becoming a banker. She spent thirteen years in the City ending up as the director of a venture capital company. During this time Caroline struggled to balance the demands of being a mother with her career. In September 2000, she decided to leave her job to spend more time with her young family. Caroline always enjoyed history and wanted to find a historical novel, aimed at children, which would capture her daughters' imagination. When she searched without success, she decided to write one herself. Cleopatra: Escape Down the Nile is her first story and is the start of a new series, Before They Were Famous. Each book explores the early lives of some of history's most fascinating characters, who, in shifting, dangerous worlds, struggle to make their mark but grew up to become heroes. Books on Boudicca, William the Conqueror, Lady Jane Grey, Pocahontas and Julius Caesar are expected in 2008 and 2009. Caroline lives in Hampstead, North London, with her husband and three daughters aged thirteen, eleven and nine.

Once her children have left for school, Caroline goes straight to her desk and starts writing. She works in front of a large window overlooking a park, and tries not to daydream too much. Caroline selected the characters in the series because they all grew up in times of great change and uncertainty. She researches each book meticulously, using all known facts, along with authentic descriptions of the food, architecture, culture and religion of the age. But first and foremost she wants each book to be a gripping read. Once a book is almost finished Caroline tests them out on her daughters. If, at lights-out time, they beg her to keep reading she's happy but if they're looking sleepy, she knows an edit is needed.