The idea came about in a bar in central London – literally on a girls’ night out. I met up with Chris Manby and Jessica Adams and we started chatting about how many fellow authors we had got to know over the years, and how we could all get together in one big project. Within a couple of hours, we had plundered our address books, called in a lot of favours, called an agent and started
the ball rolling. That started this amazing series of books – the first in a recent wave to package short stories together to raise money for charity. I saw the first two books into production – Girls’ Night In and Girls’ Night Out/Boys’  Night In. It was immensely rewarding work, especially as War Child went on to receive over £1 million from the profits.

In 2001 Chris and I travelled to Kosovo with the charity to witness the benefits first hand. It is a great cause, and I am humbled to this day by what War Child do. After the second book, I bowed down as an editor, but the series went on assisted by a host of new editors and contributors – all international best-selling authors and stars. The fourth Girls Night In book (and the fifth in the
series) is in production right now and I have been asked back to write a short story, much to my delight. These books do a hell of a lot of good and make for the best reading.

It’s as simple as that.

I was asked to contribute short stories to the Sexy Shorts series by Hazel Cushion, a dynamo of a woman with a great vision. In the series, established authors are asked to write short stories alongside unpublished writers who submit their work for publication and get chosen on merit. The result is super books packed full of talent and entertainment, and all in the name of different charities with each title. I can’t think of a better package.