Q: How long have you been a children's author and what got you started?

A: I started writing children's books about four years ago, so it's still kind of new for me. Before that, I worked for teen mags and also as an illustrator and art teacher... I like doing lots of different things! Being a children's author is a total dream come true, though - I've always been addicted to daydreaming, and now I can do it for a living!

Q: What are your books about?

A: They're real-life books about pre-teens and young teenagers. Often, the books tackle gritty issues like divorce, bullying, even alcoholism. I want to show that even when life goes pear-shaped, you can still come through - and find a bit of magic, too! Hopefully, the stories are warm, funny and positive!

Q: Tell us about your new book, Lucky Star

A: Lucky Star is all about Mouse, a 14 year old graffiti artist, Cat, the girl who falls for him, and Lucky, a stray dog who brings the pair of them a whole heap of trouble. It's a fast-paced adventure set in inner city London, with plenty of fun and drama and a sprinkling of starry stuff...

Q: You're launching Lucky Star at the innocent village fete, what else have you got in store for your fans?

A: Well, I'm bringing my VW camper van to the innocent village fete, to run a Friendship Festival for fans old and new. There'll be lots of activities and fun stuff to do, including face paints, threads to make friendship bracelets, freebies... and much, much more!

Q: Your fans play a big part on your website, they must be important to you?

A: My readers are brilliant - they give me great feedback and keep me going when the writing gets tough! On the wall of my workroom, I have pictures and paintings of my characters sent to me by fans, plus a pinboard full of handmade bracelets, earrings, lucky charms and other cool things. My readers are my inspiration.

Q: Your popularity is increasing at a great pace, do you think it's because you get involved with your fans?

A: I love staying in touch with my fans, answering their emails and encouraging them with their own hopes and dreams. I think the books just strike a chord with some kids, though - especially girls aged 9-14. They can really identify with the characters, and they love the sad bits, the funny bits and especially the slushy bits!

Q: What other things have you got lined up for the summer?

I'll be at the Edinburgh Book Festival on Sunday 12th August and the Carnegie Children's Book Festival in Fife on 25th/26th August. The rest of the time, I'll be at home, sitting in my tepee with a wood fire, a laptop and a big bar of chocolate, writing the next book!

The innocent village fete

Taking place in Regent's Park on August 4 and 5, the innocent village fete has a range of attractions more inclined to the country than central London. Maypole dancing, dog agility classes, welly-wanging, tug-o-war and coconut shies to name but a few.

As well as the children's reading tent, where Cathy Cassidy will launch Lucky Star on Sunday, there is an adult tent hosted by Penguin. Readers can relax in the lounging library and create their own cover in the 'draw your own' Penguin afternoon.

For more details visit www.innocentvillagefete.co.uk. Tickets cost £5.00 for adults and £2.50 for children, with all profits going to Friends of the Earth, Samaritans and WellChild.

Win a copy of Lucky Star

THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED

We have five copies of Lucky Star to give away. To win one tell us the answer to the following question: What is the title of Cathy Cassidy's first book?

Email your answer together with your name, address and telephone number to competition@the-times.co.uk, making sure you put Lucky Star in the subject field.

Please read our full terms and conditions before entering. Entries must be received by Friday, August 10, 2007.

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