Leila CassellBorn in North London, the eldest of four children, Leila was a bright child but managed to disappoint her father by being expelled from grammar school. It was suggested that, since her interests were entirely frivolous, she would be better suited in school where no intellectual demands were made on her. A course at secretarial college led to the one career she never wanted - office work - but at least her ability to touch-type at speed proved useful when, years later, she began to write short stories. Now retired and living in the village of Shenley, close to the M25 and St Albans, Leila has had success with her poetry and short stories but it's the craft of writing novels which she most enjoys and, keen to pass on her knowledge, runs workshops for gifted young writers at her old primary school. Read More Read Less