Sue was born on 9th July 1956 to Paul and Mary Hampton, and grew up in Shenfield, Essex. She had a happy and imaginative childhood although she was podgy and shy! From an early age she wrote stories and poems, inspired by her dad. Her younger brother David became an international rower and is now Dave Hampton, Carbon Coach, advising people how to reduce their carbon footprints. See www.carboncoach.com

She was Head Girl at Herington House School before going on to Brentwood County High School for Girls, where she shared the prize for best A level results in 1974. She was encouraged in her writing and her love of good books by Derek Smith, her brilliant English teacher. Sue trained to be a teacher at Southlands College and was awarded a First in her B.Ed (hons) degree from London University in 1978. During those years she made some wonderful friends who had faith in her as a writer and a human being and are always there when she needs them - which is why friendship is a theme in so many of her books. Sue began her teaching career at Gainsborough Junior School and New City Road Junior School in Newham. Then she taught a class of boys at Dulwich College (as Mrs Duffield) before she became a mum to Philip and Sarah. More recently she worked in Berkhamsted, at Victoria First School and then for ten years at St. Mary's First School in Northchurch. In 2004 she was nominated for Teacher of the Year. She especially enjoyed Story Time, teaching children to write, editing school magazines and writing and directing school productions. She also liked art and history. Before she returned to teaching , she ran her own small business from home with her friend Caroline Banks, also a vegetarian. They cooked, froze and sold veggie and vegan meals for one or two.Sue took a year out of teaching in 2005 in order to pursue her ambition to become an author- and it worked, eventually. SPIRIT AND FIRE was published in Sept 07, and acclaimed by Michael Morpurgo. VOICE OF THE ASPEN and SHUTDOWN were next, then JUST FOR ONE DAY, all written for 9 - 15 but intended to appeal to adults too. THE LINCOLN IMP was published in July 09, and followed by THE WATERHOUSE GIRL. Now Sue is a full-time author and married adult author and poet Leslie Tate on 1st September 2012. She still enjoys visiting schools to inspire young readers and writers.

PLEASE DO EMAIL SUE if you enjoy any of her books and tell her why! Then she will keep you up to date with events and developments.
You can also order signed copies of Sue Hampton books by email. suehampton@btinternet.com

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