When I’m not writing books, I’m reading them. For many years I was an English teacher in a secondary school in Devon. Nowadays, I write full time. It’s my absolute dream-come-true job!
As a child, I wrote stories about ponies and pop stars, though not together. Today they call it fan-fiction; back then it was just weird.
After school, I worked as a reporter on a local newspaper. From there I went to university to study English Literature. After backpacking around the Middle East, South America, Australia, I did a PGCE in English and became a teacher.
Many years later, I bought myself a lovely big notebook and some new pens. I enrolled on the MA Writing For Young People at Bath Spa University, and got writing again. ‘Frost Hollow Hall’ was started on the MA course. It is my first novel, and took two years and many cups of tea to write.
I live in the Somerset hills with my husband and two Jack Russell terriers.
Five More Things About Me:
• I am obsessed with snow.
• My dogs Pip and Bertie snooze next to me when I’m writing.
• I have been a vegetarian since the age of 11.
• I love peanut butter AND marmite AND cucumber on toast – don’t knock it ‘til you try it.
• My favorite book is ‘Fingersmith’ by Sarah Waters.
emmacarrollauthor.wordpress.com 
Hi Emma it’s Amber here in NZ (your nephew) I loved your book the girl who walked on air it’s a really good story!!! Love Amber
Thanks Amber, and a big hello to you in NZ! Glad you enjoyed it! :)))
Hi Emma
We are looking forward to your visit to Sticklepath School next week. Our children have loved reading your books over the last few, particularly Frost Hollow Hall which has been one of our most popular guided reading books.
Hi Richard, what a lovely message, thank you. Can’t wait to meet you all in person next week! Emma :))
Hi Emma, I just read frost hollow hall, my friend recommended it to me and it was brilliant!!!! I would love to be an auther when I’m older.
Hi Laura
Thanks for you message- really chuffed to hear you liked Frost Hollow Hall! Do thank your friend for recommending it too! If you love books and reading and writing then being an author is the very best job in the world. Follow your dream! Emmax
Dear Emma,I have just finished reading Letters from the light house and I love it ! Now I am going to get all the others and I can’t wait until The lost boy comes out. please write back, From joe age 8 and 3 quarters.
Hi Joe
Great to hear from you! Really thrilled that you enjoyed Letters From The Lighthouse. I hope you like the others too, especially if you’re keen on mysterious, spooky stories. I’m currently writing The Lost Boy which is based around the opening of Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922, so expect, curses, treasures and plenty of mystery in this one too! Very best wishes, Emma :))
Letters from the lighthouse was epic! I just finished it. Now I’m going to get the rest of your books! I am really looking forward to your next book! From Zaid, nine and a half years old who is in my class.
Hello Zaid! Thanks so much for your kind words. I’m absolutely delighted you think Letters is ‘epic’! That’s made my day! Hope you enjoy the other stories too, with very best wishes Emma
I love the book In darkling Wood
You are the best Emma Carroll
Thank you so much for your message, Anastasia! Delighted to hear you enjoyed In Darkling Wood.
Hi Emma I have read all your book and I love allow of them
Thank you Ruby! That’s so lovely to hear. In fact, you’ve made my day! Very best wishes Emma
Hello , my name is Lettie O’Hara. I can’t wait to meet you again at my school St.Winefride’s at the creative writing workshop on the 13th of March. I love all your books and can’t wait to find out what your next book will be.
Hello Lettie! Thanks for your message. Looking forward to meeting you all very soon! Emma
Dear Emma, Frost Hollow Hall is my favourite book. I prepare a short presentation about it for my school. It is for my german lesson. I like also your Homepage and the way you describe there your life. Could I get some more information about you for my presentation?
Hello Barbara, I’m delighted to hear you’ve enjoyed Frost Hollow Hall, thanks for getting in touch. What information were you after for your presentation? I’ll help if I can! Emma
Dear Emma, my presentation is already done and I think I have found all important information. But you can keep your fingers crossed this friday. It is a day of my presentation! Anyway I would like to thank you for offer to help me . I am looking forward to read also your other books. I like your way to write books.
thank you so much for the mention on your blog. Thrilled to me included in your top authors list! All best wishes, Emma x
Hi,
I am Ava, I am 10 years old. I love your books, they have helped me though lockdown. My favourite one is letters from the Lighthouse because it based in Dorset.
Hi Ava
Thanks so much for your message. I’m so glad reading has helped you through lockdown- it’s helped me a lot, too. Books let us travel to different places and meet different people, even if its only in our imagination. I think when the real world feels a bit difficult and strange it’s lovely to escape into stories. I’m particularly touched that you’ve enjoyed Letters from the Lighthouse. Thank you! Emma x
Hi Emma
we are reading your book Olive’s Army in class and I really like it. My favourite character is Pixie but I also like Olive and Cliff.
Hi Isabel, how lovely that you’re reading Olive’s Army! I hope you’re enjoying being back in Budmouth Point again. A little hint: my next book also has a Budmouth Point connection, though it’s set 20 years later… very best wishes to you! Emma
Hello I’m a fan of you’re books and I wanted to repe sent my class 5i
hello Musab, and hello to your class! Glad to hear you’ve enjoyed my books. Hope you all have a great xmas hols, Emma
I really like in darkling wood
Thanks Evealyn- do you believe in fairies?! Emma
hi, we’re meant to be doing a short biography on you, can you tell me any extra facts?
Hello Harvey, I hope you can find what you need here, and in other places online. My ‘extra facts’ are just for friends and family, I’m afraid! Best wishes, Emma
Hi Emma, My name is Ellie and I am 11 years old, I was introduced to your books by my teacher a couple of years ago and I really enjoy them. The first book I read was Letters from the Lighthouse. I am interested to know how long it takes you to write one of your books? Thanks.
Hi Ellie, thanks for your message. I’m so glad you enjoyed Letters, and my other books. In answer to your question it usually takes me about 4-6 months to write a first draft, then the same again for all the edits. So in total about a year. All best wishes, Emma x
Hi Emma, we are the Year 6 class at Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School in Leeds. We are about to start reading your novel ‘Letters from the Lighthouse’ and today, as part of Book Week, we are researching all about you as an author. We would love it if you can give us a reply!
A HUGE HELLO to Mrs Ince and Year 6 at Our Ladys Catholic Primary School! Happy World Book Day Week this week. I really hope you have lots of fun sharing stories and thinking about what books mean to you- and of course, that you enjoy reading Letters From the Lighthouse. Wishing you the finest bookish adventures! Emma x
Hi Emma, I am a Year 5 teacher at Mount Charles School in St Austell, Cornwall. We are reading Secrets of a Sun King as our class book this term as we study the Ancient Egyptians. We are absolutely loving the story (every day the children beg me not to stop) and it fits so beautifully with our topic- we have already made canopic jars but we might have to put some papyrus scrolls in them now! I am wondering how you envisaged Kyky would be pronounced? The children absolutely love hearing your adventure read aloud and I wouldn’t want to get it wrong! Many thanks, Mrs Copeland and 5AC.
Hello! Thanks ever so for your lovely message, and for sharing Secrets with your class. I’m really thrilled you’re all enjoying it! When I’m reading from the book I pronounce Kyky as Kiki, but as its a made up name I’m not sure there’s a wrong or right way to say it- whatever feels right for you! Do say a big HELLO to your class from me! Emma x
Hi Emma, I’m working on a school project and I need more information about you. What do you think are the benefits of working as a children’s book writer? And what are your suggestions on how to use children’s books? I would be very grateful if you would help me.
Hi Hilda, lovely to hear from you! The benefits of being a writer are HUGE- I’m doing a job I’ve always dreamed of doing since childhood, I get to work from home, with my dogs, in my pjs! And I get to chat about books and writing with all the wonderful readers, teachers, librarians and booksellers out there. I wasn’t quite sure what you meant in your 2nd question, sorry, but hope my answer helps. Best of luck with your project! Emma
Hi Emma,
I’m reading Letters from the Lighthouse and I love it!
I’ve just got my dad to buy me ‘Strange Star’
I hope it’s scary!!
You’re the best.
Ellie Brown
Hi Ellie! Thanks for your message! Delighted you’re enjoying Letters. Strange Star is a bit scary ( I think!) so hope you’ll enjoy it. What a lovely dad you have to buy to you books! Emma x
Hi Emma 🙂 !!
I LOVE your book ‘secrets of a sun king’ i really enjoyed it. My friend also loves your book ‘the week at the worlds end’ i am really excited for the up coming book festival at chidding stone. See you there !
Love Heather
Hi Heather! Hope you had a great time at the festiva, and thanks for coming alongl! Also, a huge thank you for your kind message about Sun King. Thrilled to hear you’re enjoying it, and your friend liked World’s End. maybe you could swap books?! Emma
Hi Emma,
It’s the Year 6 class from Our Lady’s School in Leeds – we are currently doing an author study all about you before we begin reading your novel ‘Letters from the Lighthouse’. Please could you send us a quick “Hello!” 🙂
Hello Year 6! Really hope you enjoy Letters From the Lighthouse! Happy reading! Emma x