The Writers of Wales Database

COOPER, CLARE

Tyrhibin Newydd, Morfa, Newport, Pembrokeshire SA42 0NT
Tel: 01239 820376
Email: brenclare@btinternet.com
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A children’s writer, Clare was born and grew up in Falmouth, Cornwall. She has lived in Wales since 1967. Clare’s first book, published in 1980, was runner up for the Tir na nOg Award and she has subsequently published nineteen other books in the UK, plus editions in USA, Denmark, Catalonia and Bulgaria, a short story ’Flying by Moonlight’ on the Welsh Books Council website for World Book Day 2001 and several articles for the Irish Wolfhound Magazine. Her work was also used recently in a BBC Archive programme.

Clare began writing while still at Budock C of E School in Cornwall, where every Wednesday afternoon was devoted to composing poetry. She also write stories for her children when they were very young, one of which ’The lonely Crane’ was published in Nursery World. She began writing in earnest as a ’life begins at forty’ challenge, and almost immediately had a manuscript accepted by Hodder & Stoughton. This first book David’s Ghost (Hodder & Stoughton, 1980), was the runner up for the Tir na nOg Award.

She then wrote The Black Horn (Hodder, 1981), with its hero, Simon Jones, a quiet boy wearing glasses, who gained confidence and discovered he was a wizard with the help of a feisty girl called Fred, and vanquished an evil villain called Pettigrew. The Black Horn (Hodder, 1981) was also published in the USA and Catalonia, and by Knight Books in the UK. It also appeared on Jackanory with Philip Madoc narrating the story, Hodder then asked for a sequel, and Clare wrote two: A Wizard Called Jones (Hodder, 1984) and Kings of the Mountain (Hodder, 1986). These were also published in Denmark and Catalonia, and then in 1994 all three were published again as The Simon Jones Triology by Pont Books here in Wales.

Another success was Earthchange (Hodder, 1985) which reflects Clare’s long term concern for the environment and her love of dogs, as do most of her other books. Earthchange (Hodder, 1985) was also published in Denmark and the USA.

Clare’s latest big success is Timeloft (Pont, 1995), the story of a London boy who travelled through time, surviving an army of evil Hags with the help of an almost human robot called a Designator, and eventually grew up and lived all the rest of his life in The Valleys. Time Loft (Pont, 1995) won a Books for Keeps Original sticker.

In 2001 Clare’s short story ’Flying by Moonlight’ appeared on the Welsh Books Council website to celebrate World Book Day. This flying took place above The Garth. Hills such as The Garth seem to have been a huge source of inspiration for many of her books. The Simon Jones Trilogy (Pont, 1994) is based on Carn Inglis in Pembrokeshire. Glastonbury Tor is the focal point in Earthchange (Hodder, 1985). Timeloft (Pont, 1995) features The Garth and of course, there is the beautiful Morfa headland…

Reviews:
With respect to David’s Ghost (Hodder, 1980):

"…quite a complicated story but by intentness of narrative Clare Cooper keeps it very fresh and surprisingly plausible…"
Edward Blishen, Times Educational Supplement


With respect to The Black Horn (Hodder, 1981): 

"…a good blend of realism and fantasy simply but excitingly told…"
The Guardian


With respect to Andrew and the Gargoyle (Hodder, 1983):

"…An exciting story with an unusual central figure..."
The Junior Bookshelf


With respect to A Wizard Called Jones (Hodder, 1984):

"...works superbly well, mixing the magic and the mundane in exactly the right proportions..."
Beverly Anderson


With respect to Miracles and Rubies (Gomer, 1991):

"...This is a pleasant little book which also gives a good picture of Medieval times. It is a welcome change from many of the harsh and stern books being published today. I thoroughly enjoyed it..."
Mary Moffat, Historical Novels Review


With respect to Mayra’s Emmets (Pont, 1996):

"...has the true tang of childhood adventure, like a modern version of the Famous Five with feisty heroine and dog..."
Western Mail



Selected Publications:
David’s Ghost (Hodder, 1980)
The Black Horn (Hodder, 1981) 
Andrew and the Gargoyle (Hodder, 1983)
A Wizard Called Jones (Hodder, 1984)
The Black Horn (Knight Books, 1984)
Earthchange (Hodder, 1985)
Earthchange (Lerner, 1986)
Kings of the Mountain (Hodder, 1986)
The Settlement on Planet B (Hodder, 1987)
The Black Horn (Modtryk, 1987)
Earthchange (Modtryk, 1988)
Children of the Camps (Hodder, 1988)
Ashar of Qarius (Simon & Schuster, 1988)
The Skyrifters (Simon & Schuster, 1989)
Kings of the Mountain (Editorial Cruilla, 1990)
Ashar of Qarius (Harcourt Brace Jovanovitch, 1990)
Ashar of Qarius (Modtryk, 1990)
Miracles and Rubies (Gomer, 1991)
Kings of the Mountain (Editorial Cruilla, 1994)
The Simon Jones Trilogy (Pont, 1994)
Timeloft (Pont, 1995)
Mayra’s Emmets (Pont, 1996)
Cat of Morfa (Pont, 1998)
Y Cath Gyffrail (Pont, 1998)
Stonehead (Pont, 2000)
One Day on Morfa (Pont, 2001)
Time Ball (Pont, 2003)

 

Y Cath Gyffrail (Pont, 1998) / Cat of Morfa (Pont, 1998)

It is very difficult for Cleo and her brother to settle in their new home at Morfa. Especially when the neighbours are so hostile. It is no surprise, then, that Cleo starts talking to the stray cat that seems to have adopted her. Perhaps he can help her find out who is prowling about at night...

To purchase this book from gwales.com, please click on its front cover



 Stonehead (Pont, 2000)

The sequel to "Cat of Morfa", this story begins when Cleo finds a tiny stone head and takes it home. Her cat knows all about the stone head, and soon Cleo finds herself in the middle of a new adventure involving magic and aliens.

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One Day on Morfa (Pont, 2001)

Once again Mot, the cat of Morfa, and his new witch, Cleo, are having problems. Particularly Cleo. What is she going to do when she leaves school and, more immediately, why can she feel magic emanating from the little house which can now be seen in the middle of the bare wood? For ages 9-11.

To purchase this book from gwales.com, please click on its front cover