Liz Pichon is the author of the HUGELY successful Tom Gates series - have you read them all? They're perfect for anyone who loves comics, creativity, and hilarious hijinks! Read on to get the low-down on Liz - you're about to learn all about her life, her inspirations, and her advice for young writers! We've got lots more booktastic stuff for literary fans, too - why not learn all about Jacqueline Wilson, or find out which Roald Dahl character you are!

1. It's pronounced "pea-shon"

Useful information if you've never heard her name said out loud! Now you know how to say her name if you ever get to meet her!

2. She's from London

Liz was born in London in 1963. Her dad worked for Rowntree Mackintosh, the sweet company who made Aero, Quality Street and Kit Kat! He used to travel when he sold sweets to swwet shops, and when he worked at seaside towns Liz would sometimes go with him and swim in the sea. She went to the Camberwell School of Art, where she received a BA in graphic design.

3. She's dyslexic

Liz struggled with reading and writing as a child, but when she was little there was a lot less awareness of dyslexia. In fact, she didn't realise she had dyslexia until she was a grown-up and a mother, investigating her son's troubles in school. She says she always enjoyed making up stories, but found the writing part tricky. The drawing part was easy!

4. She has some cool influences

Liz was inspired by childrens' stories that used illustrations to tell the story. In an interview she mentions Roald Dahl's The Twits as one of her favourites - and she was also a huge fan of The Beano! She also loved Richard Scarry and Spike Milligan, and says that Quentin Blake is one of her biggest influences as an illustrator.

5. Her mum was very creative

Liz was also inspired by a creative household growing up! Her mum was always doing a craft project, and she loved making patchwork quilts, pressed flowers, dresses, and drawing! Her mum encouraged Liz's talents, and would pin up her drawings on a board and give Liz drawing materials so she could develop her style.

6. She designed album covers

After art school, Liz worked as an art director for Jive Records, a British-American record label. Her work included directing photoshoots and designing record sleeves and album covers. Sounds super glam, but she says it actually wasn't - she worked in a Portakabin! She also met her future husband Mark at this job, where he worked as a record engineer.

7. Tom is based on her!

Liz's big hit is the Tom Gates series, the diary of a young boy and his hilarious misadventures. Liz says that Tom is based on her! They're very alike in a lot of ways, and Tom loves to doodle, too!

8. Tom's age isn't really mentioned

Tom is about 10 years old, but sharp-eyed readers will notice that his actual age is never specified - and that he's been the same age since the books started, in 2011! Liz says that Tom's a bit like The Simpsons in that he's going to stay the same age for as long as she writes him. In fact, if he started going to secondary school. Liz says she'd rather write a new character doing that!

9. There's been a TV series

In 2021 a TV series based on Tom Gates was released on Sky Kids. It featured Catherine Tate as Rita Gates AND Granny Mavis! It also features Liz herself, doing her crafts and drawings. Her parts for the first season were filmed during lockdown. Liz co-wrote the script with Ben Ward, who is best known as part of the Horrible Histories team!

10. And a play!

In 2019 the series was adapted in live-action for the stage, called Tom Gates Live On Stage! It toured the UK, and Liz co-wrote the script.

11. She's written other books!

Tom Gates is Liz's most famous series, but she's written lots of other stuff! Her picture book My Big Brother, Boris won the Nestle Smarties Book Prize, and her book Shoe Wars (published in 2020) was also a huge hit! Liz says she has lots more ideas for the characters in Shoe Wars - watch out for that!

12. And illustrated books for other authors!

Liz's talent as an artist has lead her to illustrate books for other writers, too! She's illustrated Beautiful Bananas by Elizabeth Laird, and Spinderella by Julia Donaldson, best known for writing The Gruffalo!

13. She's won some cool prizes

Liz's list of prizes is amazing! She's won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, and the Blue Peter Award for Best Story - among others!

14. She has some advice for kids who want to write

Are you interested in becoming a writer and/or illustrator? Liz has some advice for you! Don't worry if you think you're no good at drawing - everyone can learn, and a good place to start is tracing. You can also mix up what you're using to draw - try pencils, watercolours, pens, paints, and anything that takes your fancy! You should also go for it and not be afraid of making mistakes, whether you're writing or drawing. It's the best way to learn!

15. She has the best job in the world!

Liz says in a lot of her interviews that she has THE best job in the world - writing and drawing for children! She loves to write, and to sit down and figure out what Tom's next (mis)adventure will be! What do YOU think the best job in the world would be?