Sophie King is the author of the The School Run, Mums @ Home, Second Time Lucky, The Supper Club and The Wedding Party. Her first audiobook, a short story anthology, Just One More Coffee?, has recently been released.

Sophie's books are aimed at teenagers, mums and grans, or anyone else who can identify with a chaotic family life. Sophie has three children, a dog, a cat and a sleepy terrapin – all of whom make her laugh or cry, depending on how she feels.

Sophie has a pen name to distinguish her novels from her journalism. As Jane Bidder, she has written for The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Daily Express, The Daily Mail, Woman, Woman’s Weekly, My Weekly, Good Housekeeping and many other national publications.

She has interviewed several big celebrities including her childhood hero David Essex, Michael Palin, Penny Vincenzi, Deborah Moggach, Julie Walters, Nigel Havers, Carolyn Quentin, Lord Lichfield, Martina Cole, Linda Robson, Lesley Joseph, Barbara Taylor Bradford and countless others.

Sophie also writes short stories and teaches creative writing at Oxford University and privately.

Sophie's latest news

WIN A TWO NIGHT STAY AT A WONDERFUL HOTEL WITH SOPHIE KING'S SHORT STORY/NOVEL COMPETITON
Write the first 200 words to a short story or novel and email it to janebidder@btinternet.com. I am looking for a great beginning and a story which makes me want to read on! Make sure you include your contact details. You could win a stay at wonderful Castle House in Hereford. Send your entries by October Ist. More details.

HOW TO GET PUBLISHED - SIX WEEK COURSE IN THE SOUTH WEST OF ENGLAND
Do you live near Exeter? If so, I'll be running a six week course on how to write novels and short stories at The Phoenix Arts Centre in Exeter. There's a daytime course and and evening one to choose from every Tuesday, starting on September 7th. The cost is £65 for a six week session. To book, ring the Phoenix box office on 01392 667080

LOOK OUT FOR MY NEXT NON-FICTION BOOK : IT'S CALLED 'HOW TO WRITE YOUR LIFE STORY IN TEN EASY STEPS'.
Writing your life story is a great way of passing down stories about your life to your children and grandchildren. After all, how often did your parents tell you stories about their own childhoods which you have now forgotten? My book will help you structure all your memories and give you different ideas on how to write them and how to get them into print.

HOW TO WRITE YOUR LIFE STORY IN TEN EASY STEPS by Sophie King. How To Books £9.99. OUT IN OCTOBER.

THE AUSTRALIAN LITERATURE REVIEW COMPETITION
Recently I was asked to judge a short story competition for the Australian Literature Review. Here are the entries from the first prize winner and the runner up. Congratulations to both of them!

Winner: 'DADDY' BY SAM STEPHENS
Runner Up: 'NO MATTER WHAT' BY BRONWEN EVANS

CELEBRATE NATIONAL SHORT STORY WEEK!
I was delighted to be asked to form part of the steering group for the UK's first National Short Story Week. The week takes place from November 22nd to 28th but now is the time to start organising an event! There are lots of suggestions on the National Short Story Week website.

THIS IS WHAT ONE OF MY STUDENTS SAID ABOUT ONE OF MY RECENT WRITING COURSES
"Jane has the wonderful gift to see the potential each text has and the positive elements in it. This not only boosts your confidence as a writer but it is also good feedback about what to focus your future writing on. This positive attitude creates a warm and helpful atmosphere within the course community, which I very much enjoyed." Sandra A., London

TAKING THE PAIN OUT OF PLOT
Read my article about Taking the Pain out of Plot on the Australian Literary Review website.

PODCAST INTERVIEW
Hear me being interviewed by Jackie King Turner on My SCR (link opens a new window).