Children’s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson was given the kind of reception normally reserved for pop stars when she read extracts from her new book at Dundee University this week.
Little Darlings is the latest in a series of award-winning novels from the writer, who has sold more than 25 million copies in the UK since her debut novel was published in 1969.
Signed copies of the book, which focuses on the children of celebrities, were available to buy from the foyer before and after the ticketed event.
Dame Jacqueline told The Courier, “Little Darlings is all about celebrity children — I just thought it would be a fine thing to write about.
“I will also be talking about my early life, my experience of working at DC Thomson and how things have come full circle for me.”
She added, “Since the age of 17 I have always enjoyed writing and I suppose I have just never stopped.”
The author’s work is known for tackling difficult themes such as divorce, adoption and mental illness, with her best known novels coming from the Tracey Beaker, Mark Spark and Girls collections.
In 2007 she received an honorary degree from Dundee University and in 2008 was made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.