Brian Keaney's parents are Irish, although he grew up in and still lives in London. He was once a teacher, but now writes full time. He is also currently writer-in-residence at a London college. His other books for Orchard include Family Secrets, The Private Life of Georgia Brown, Balloon House and Bitter Fruit, which was shortlisted for the South Lanarkshire Children's Book Award.
Brian was born in London. His parents were Irish and he grew up listening to his mother's tales of the life she had left behind in Ireland. That was how he learned to love stories.
He was sent to a very strict school where boys were beaten if they stepped out of line. He hated the place but he enjoyed English lessons because they gave him a chance to write down the stories that filled his head.
He went to Liverpool University where he studied English and fell in love with a girl called Rosie. After leaving university he married Rosie and they had two children. By day he worked as a teacher, in the evenings he read stories to his children, and in the night he carried on writing his stories.
When he had enough stories to make a book he sent them off to a publisher who offered to publish them. He immediately gave up his job to concentrate on writing. That was one of the silliest things he has ever done since he was totally broke for a very long time afterwards. But it was also one of the smartest things he has ever done because somehow he succeeded in making a career for himself as a writer.
His favourite pastime is reading (though his favourite book changes all the time). His favourite city is Rome and he adores Italian food. His favourite journey is any one that finishes at home and his favourite sound is his grandson's voice on the telephone
Brian has won the Havering Best of the Best Award, a Lancashire Fabulous Book Award and he has been shortlisted for a the NASEN Book Award, the South Lanarkshire Children's Book Award, the North East Book Award and the Bedfordshire Children's Book Award. His novels have been translated into twelve languages.
