About Me

I am Paula Leyden and I was born in Kenya and spent most of my life in Africa - in Kenya, then Zambia, then South Africa. In 2003 I moved to Kilkenny, Ireland where I now live and farm with my partner, Tom O'Neill (the author of Old Friends - the Lost Tales of Fionn MacCumhaill - published by Little Island, Blood Emeralds and his most recent work Grattan and Me (Dalkey Arrchive) ) and our five children. There is a little more than this about me on Walker Books author page as they said two or three sentences wouldn't do. I only started writing when I came to Ireland, perhaps because I had more time, perhaps because that is what Ireland lends itself to. But I am glad I did. I am represented in my writing by Sophie Hicks, a wondrous agent (Sophie Hicks Agency).

I love where I live and feel lucky to be on the outskirts of the beautiful city of Kilkenny. Best of both worlds - on a farm with animals (horses, donkeys, dogs and cats) but a hop in to town.