Terry Deary -
Known to many as the man behind The Horrible History collection Terry Deary is the author of 140 books in the UK (with over 400 more foreign editions) mainly for children and teenagers. He was born in Sunderland in 1946 and now lives in County Durham. Terry is a former actor, theatre-director and Drama teacher.

In 28 years as an author his writing has included fiction for juniors and teenagers, true mystery stories for a worldwide market, and popular non-fiction series (Horrible Histories, being the best-selling) as well as TV, radio and audio scripts. His books are sold in 33 languages from Russia to Brazil, Scandinavia to China.

In 1996 he was the best selling British children’s author with 5 of his books in the top ten best-sellers of the year. (Waterstones Bookshop tables) In August 1997 he was still leading the way with thirteen titles in the top forty. (Bookseller listings). In 1999 The Daily Telegraph recorded that he outsold Enid Blyton by four to one and a 2001 Libraries’ survey made him the most-borrowed author of children’s non-fiction in Britain – with an astonishing 17 titles in the top 20. In November 1999 Books for Keeps magazine readers voted him "The Outstanding Children’s Non-Fiction Author Of The 20th Century". In 2000 a Schools net survey made him the most borrowed British author in school libraries while a World Book Day poll made him Britain’s fifth most popular living children’s author. In March 2003 he had all 10 of the top 10 children’s non-fiction books in the Bookseller charts. In 2002 and 2003 he was most borrowed non-fiction author (adult or children’s books) in British libraries.

Terry's continuing support as SHAID's figurehead is very much appreciated by all those involved with the organisation. We would like to thank him for taking time out of his busy schedule to support our Charity and putting a familiar face to the subject of youth homelessness within Derwentside.