Penny is a scientist, a crime writer and an academic (Health Professional Studies), and currently Chair of the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society which is the largest writers’ organisation in the world.

A writer all her life, she penned her first story at age 4 and won her first writing competition at age 9.  In 2004 under the name Ellen Grubb she received an international  award, the Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger and can be seen here giving her acceptance speech.

She has worked in a variety of jobs, having been on the inside of pathology labs, operating theatres and medical schools across Europe.

Home is with her husband and a transient population of family members and animals large and small in an old farmhouse in a small East Yorkshire village.

Penny’s work involves four different workplaces in three different geographical locations several hundred miles apart.  Even with modern technology and cloud computing, it takes some serious organisation to keep the plates spinning on the sticks.

As a means of keeping a busy work life on track as well as having time for family, friends and good living, Penny enthusiastically embraces David Allen’s ideas for getting things done.  And to keep virtual track of it all, she uses Michael Sliwinski’s Nozbe software, although cautions that users had better get the principles from David Allen before diving into the software.  Mr Allen is great at clear and concise explanation; Mr Sliwinski writes great software.