Seven things I'd like my readers to know about me by Poppy Alexander, author of The Littlest Library

1. I’m a dog person. I’ve had cats in the past but find my failure to live up to their expectations demoralising, whereas dogs are pathetically grateful for anything you give them. I tell my children they were clearly both cats in a former life.

2. Time flies. The years simply flash by, so I try to make time count and set myself goals for each year, month, week and even day. It doesn’t have to be big things, it’s just a matter of making yourself accountable for your time. I would never manage to finish writing a book without this approach.

3. My childhood. I was incarcerated in a convent boarding school from the age of nine so – essentially – I was raised by nuns. My parents were living abroad for much of my childhood.

4. The thing I am most proud of. This is my children, obviously, but – beyond them – I am proud of having set up a charity to build a purpose-designed childcare building in my village. I strongly believe every family should have access to high-quality, local childcare that meets their needs. It truly does take a village to raise a child. By the time the building was finished, my children were old enough not to need it, but it is there for the families coming up behind me, and that makes me happy.

5. My career aspirations. I had this demented idea my love of music would lead to a career. I even did a degree in music and am a trained singer, but the musical world is definitely no poorer for my absence. It took me a while to realise writing should be my focus, but now I am making up for lost time and thoroughly enjoying myself.

6. The Littlest Library tells the tale of a young woman who sets up a little library in a disused telephone box and how the books in it brought a community together. It is set in a village just like the one I live in, with intrigue and gossip and a pond with ducks. This novel was a great opportunity to weave in some of my all-time favourite books: Daphne du Maurier, Michelle Obama, Charlotte Bronte and Louisa M Alcott all make an appearance.

7. Other Poppy Alexander books. My first Poppy Alexander book was ’25 Days in December’. I was lucky enough to see it published in several countries and it was a No.1 bestseller in Norway! As a Christmas book, I was proud readers from such a beautifully snowy country took the story to their hearts. My next Poppy Alexander is another Christmas novel - “The 12 Days of Christmas” is out in the UK this November.