Fay Sampson
FAY SAMPSON is a widely published author with a particular interest in fantasy and Celtic history. First published in 1975, Fay has written many books for children and adults, including nonfiction, which arose from her research. She has been shortlisted for the Guardian
Children’s Fiction Prize on three occasions – including for Lion’s Pangur Ban – and is a winner of the Barco de Vapor award for sales of over 100,000 copies of The Watch on Patterick Fell.
Fay grew up in a fishing and farming village in Devon. After gaining a degree in mathematics from Exeter Univerity, she taught for a number of years before moving to a teacher training college in Northern Rhodesia where her two children were born shortly before Zambian independence. Fay now lives in Devon with her husband Jack, and is a full-time writer.
Fay’s books for Lion include the popular Pangur Ban series, THEM, The Sorcerer’s Trap and its sequel The Sorcerer’s Daughter.
Praise for Fay Sampson
'Fay Sampson has the ability to make you live through every scene.'
Diana Wynne Jones about The Sorcerer's Daughter
'This combines compulsive story-telling with an imaginative use of Christian symbolism and allegory. Fay Sampson creates a believable, fascinating world which adults as well as children will delight in entering.'
Church of England Newspaper about Finnglas and the Stones of Choosing
'Colourful, exciting stuff, probably the most compelling entry I read… fast and furious.'
South West Arts Literary Awards about Finnglas of the Horses
'A breathless, tumbling fantasy that blends traditional symbols with Celtic folklore and a wildly joyful redemption / resurrection motif in an action-packed tale… Attractive mixture of epic poetry, colloquial realism, and a ‘with one bound she was free’ brand of heroism and suspense.'
The Guardian about the Pangur Ban series
'It is extremely well written; the plot moves forward briskly; the characters are developed skilfully and believably; wise and wholesome principles are introduced and promoted with subtlety and sensitivity. A stylish novel which has a very great deal to offer and which can be recommended to teachers and librarians unreservedly, as a novel of quality.'
The School Librarian