A MULTI-MILLION selling author has held a talk for hundreds of schoolchildren in Yarm.

Liz Kessler, who writes the Emily Windsnap books, met school pupils at Conyers School and held them spellbound with the true story of her own career.

Kessler told of how she became a bestselling author, shared writing tips, and talked about the daily life of an author and all its pros and cons.

Stockton district schoolchildren from Conyers School but also North Shore Academy, Northfield School and Sports College, Ian Ramsey Academy, and Our Lady and St Bede’s Academy attended.

The event was organised by Stockton Borough Council’s Libraries Service in partnership with the school.

A council spokesman said the event was “energetic and interactive” and a big hit with the youngsters.

The Emily Windsnap books tell of a young girl who finds she turns into a mermaid when she goes into the water once she turns 13. The books are a massive hit with children aged from eight to about 13.

Liz Kessler, from Southport, used to be a teacher and a journalist but now lives in Cornwall after taking a year off to travel around Europe in a van.