The deal was secured by Fiona's agent, Janice Swanson, at Curtis Brown with 'a very generous advance' and Macmillan will publish The Black Book of Secrets as their lead title in spring 2007 with a second novel following in 2008.

'We took it on because quite simply it is an amazing read,' Macmillan's Viviane Basset tells WN: 'The fantasy genre does work well for the eight to twelve-year old market but the writing has to be good and Black Book has it all.' Publishing director Sarah Davies has called Fiona 'a very talented new author'.

'Needless to say it is a dream come true for me,' says Fiona who has been writing seriously for three years. 'I have experienced many of the highs and lows that come with the territory but I have finally got there.'