Harborough grandma becomes one of the most in-demand authors in libraries all over the UK

A brilliant Market Harborough grandma is writing her own headlines after becoming one of the most in-demand authors in libraries all over the UK.

Jane Clarke, 65, is number 167 on the top 200 list of most borrowed writers in thousands of British public libraries in 2018-19, it’s just been revealed.

And the Harborough success story is set to have her 100th children’s book published in the next few months to cap her new national feat.

Ecstatic wordsmith Jane told the Harborough Mail: “I’m lost for words!

“My books have already been popular.

“But I didn’t realise that they were this much sought after.”

The gifted mother-of-two added: “This has come as a real surprise and a massive thrill in these strange times.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has ever borrowed one of my books from a library.

“Every time a book is borrowed in UK libraries both the author and the illustrator earn a few pence so the more the merrier.”

Jane, who lives in Market Harborough after being born in Kettering, said her 99 books have been taken out “well over 100,000 times” in 2018-19.

“My top title was How to Brush Your Teeth with Snappy Croc, illustrated by Georgie Birkett.

“I love this book and children must love it, too, as it went out on loan an amazing 11,341 times,” said the grandma-of-four.

“I am now looking forward to getting my 100th book published – something I never thought I’d celebrate.

“Publication dates for everything have been revised during this devastating Covid-19 lockdown.

“But this looks likely to happen later this year or early next year so it’s just round the corner.”

Jane’s many titles for the under-9s include the popular How To…board book series and award-winning picture books Gilbert the Great, Stuck in the Mud and Neon Leon.

“I have also written books for several reading schemes.

“I’m the author of the Dr KittyCat series and Al’s Awesome Science series, both for 6-8 year olds,” she said.

“And I had the pleasure of being lead ghost writer of Dinosaur Cove, which was a whole lot of fun.”

Jane has been striving to stay in touch with her four small grand-daughters, including two who live in the USA, by quickly adapting to cutting edge technology.

“My grandma-ing has now moved to Face Time and Skype.

“During lockdown I have created a YouTube channel and read a lot of books on it,” she said.

“I acted primarily so my delighted grand-daughters could have a grandma story on demand.

“My husband was an engineer so we travelled internationally, ending up living on the Dutch/Belgian border for many years.

“Our two sons went to Antwerp International School, where I got a job in the school library.

“And that’s where this all began.

“I started writing when I was 40.

“After several dis-spiriting years of nothing but rejections, I learned my craft and got my first book published in 2001.

“Sadly that was also the year when my mum, dad and husband all died suddenly within five months of each other,” said inspirational Jane.

“I stayed over there so my youngest son could finish school.

“I then moved back to the UK, initially to the south coast.

“But I came back to this area five years ago because it's where I'm most at home.

“I love living in Market Harborough and I’m also an active member of Harborough Twenty 12 Lions, which is a brilliant charity to help and support.”