Peter J Murray was born in 1951 and brought up on a council estate in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. He left school with few qualifications, feeling ill-suited to an academic lifestyle, and followed in the family tradition of working in the hazardous steel works of Sheffield. What happened over the next 30 years is an amazing story...
First of all Pete went back to school (college) at the age of 21 - can you imagine that? No discos, no late nights, no girlfriends, no soccer matches, no... don't you believe it; he did all of those things and still managed to find time for academic challenges. At the end of his studies he won a place at Cambridge University where he specialised in metallurgy (what's that?) and gained a Masters Degree in 1979. Not bad for someone who wasn’t even allowed to sit the maths GCSE at school!
After a spell in Dubai working in the aluminium industry he decided he needed a change. He dabbled in teaching - loved working with kids and never looked back. After teaching maths in several comprehensive schools he became Assistant Headmaster and Head of Maths at Cheam School - quite a 'posh school' in Pete's own words (Prince Philip and King Charles both being ex-pupils). From the gritty back streets of Rotherham to the leafy suburbs of Berkshire - quite a transformation! Despite his change in surroundings Pete remained a Yorkshireman through and through; down to earth with a great sense of humour.
After a spell in Dubai working in the aluminium industry he decided he needed a change. He dabbled in teaching - loved working with kids and never looked back. After teaching maths in several comprehensive schools he became Assistant Headmaster and Head of Maths at Cheam School - quite a 'posh school' in Pete's own words (Prince Philip and King Charles both being ex-pupils). From the gritty back streets of Rotherham to the leafy suburbs of Berkshire - quite a transformation! Despite his change in surroundings Pete remained a Yorkshireman through and through; down to earth with a great sense of humour.
Peter has always been a story-teller and a practical joker. Entertaining pupils with stories of spooky characters and unusual happenings was the ideal breeding ground for the creation of many of the characters who appear in Pete's current novels.
To give up the security of teaching in one of the most well-respected schools in the country and become a full time author was a huge gamble for Pete, especially when his first book had initially been rejected by many leading publishers. Peter eventually decided to self publish his first book: Mokee Joe is Coming! in 2003. To his amazement the title won the prestigious Sheffield Children's Book Award, voted for by 112 schools. The rest, as they say, is history. Peter is now one of the UK's leading children's authors and tours schools all over the UK and abroad. He is one of the most sought after visiting authors in schools and is renowned for inspiring children to want to read and to use their imagination in all things creative. As one 9-year old girl said at the end of one of Pete’s visits: ‘I now want to be an author. If Pete can do it, anyone can do it!’
Peter has two grown up sons, Simon and Matthew. His youngest son, Simon, is the director of his own publishing company, Atlantis Children’s Books, as well as being author and illustrator of the successful Icky Doo Dah picture books. www.ickydoodah.com. He also has illustrated inside many Peter's black and white illustrations.
Peter lives with his wife, Kath, dividing their time between their Northern base in Yorkshire and their dream location on the Isle of Wight. When he is not writing or visiting schools, Peter is a keen fisherman and follower of outdoor pursuits…but is always on the lookout for inspiration for his next nerve-tingling novel!
Peter’s wife, Kath, is a constant support during school visits. She is always very popular with staff and pupils, enjoying helping out where she can and chatting to each and everyone during subsequent book signings. Peter introduces his wife as Kath and explains that her full name is Kathryn, spelt with a 'K'. When children meet up with her afterwards they love to address her as ‘Kath with a K', a title that has fast caught on. For many years Kath worked as a librarian and is never happier than when surrounded by books, especially in the company of happy, smiling children.
Paul Bryn Davies has been a professional artist & illustrator all his working life. He was originally an advertising illustrator / designer, but moved into publishing for the more creative opportunities it offered. Paul has since had over 3000 illustrations published in print, & on various digital platforms, during his forty plus year career in art. Paul has also produced over 200 book jackets for many leading authors including Stephen King, for whom he has designed some 13 covers, including probably his most popular title, the best - selling IT.
Paul is also author / illustrator of 7 of his own ' how to draw ' fantasy books. He lives in Kent,UK, where his studio is based.
Medina Publishing and Medina Bookshop are based at Cowes, Isle of Wight. Winner of the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce 2023 Business Social Award, Medina Publishing commits itself to promoting local authors and titles that relate to the Island as well as publishing books covering a wide range of topics and genres. Since July 2023 Medina Publishing are proud publishers for Peter J Murray, handling the distribution and promotion of his books worldwide.