AN AUTHOR from Kidderminster has released her first e-book that will be purr-fect for cat lovers.

Life Outside the Cat Flap features a collection of eight fictional short stories, all written by Helen Wendy Cooper.

Helen is better known for her children’s book series Shape Land and The Vegetarian Vampire but has had a change of direction for her latest work, thanks to her own pets.

She said: “It’s a change to my usual style of writing. I love writing for children but have been inspired by my cats Colin and Rupert to write some short stories.”

The e-book includes a story about a cat called Tibby, who’s always hiding her owner’s keys, Boris the toughest moggy in town and Percy, who changes the life of an autistic child.

Helen lives in Kidderminster and recently attended an e-publishing course at the town’s library. She studied freelance journalism and creative writing whilst serving in the Army, as a Military Musician.

She added: “I’m very lucky because the Army paid for my writing courses and in return I wrote for Fanfare and other military publications.”

Helen recently toured schools in Stourport and Kidderminster, including Burlish Primary school and Sychampton First School, with her Vegetarian Vampire series.

She is looking forward to another school tour in October, when her third Vegetarian Vampire book, The Vampire Cat, is released.

Life Outside the Cat Flap is available from amazon.co.uk for £1.99 and for more information on Helen, visit her website www.helenwendycooper.co.uk.