Derek Smith

I write as Derek Smith and as DH Smith. DH Smith is for my Jack of All Trades crime series featuring a builder, Jack Bell. Twelve have been published so far, beginning with the eponymous Jack of All Trades. Jack lives in the Eastend of London, where I live, and makes a precarious living. On each job there’s at least one murder. It’s surprising he gets any work at all. He’s always short of cash, a failed marriage behind him, and hopefully his alcoholic days. He has a daughter, Mia who is ten years old in the first book. There's two boxsets covering the whole series, the first covers 1 to 6 and the second 7 -12. Both available in the KU library. I have been writing for over 30 years, beginning with plays. I had them performed on radio, TV and theatre. After working in a community bookshop in Stratford I began to write children's books as Derek Smith. Hard Cash was read on radio by Tony Robinson, Frances Fairweather Demon Striker! was shortlisted for the Children's Book Award, both published by Faber. The Good Wolf won the David Thomas Prize, and Lucy-Anne's Changing Ways was the only self published book listed in The Book Trusts 100 Best Children's Books. As a young man I was an athlete, and some of this experience has gone into Fast Food where a boy with magic shoes runs as a giant peanut in the London Marathon. I regard this as a crossover book and am sure it will be enjoyed by adults as well as older children. I have also written two fantasies for adults: Hell's Chimney and The Prince's Shadow, which I describe as fantasy/thriller/romances. These days, I am concentrating on my Jack of All Trades crime series. Find out more about them, me and my writing on my website: www.dereksmithwriter.com.