Clare Morrall shot to fame when her first novel, ASTONISHING SPLASHES OF COLOUR, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2003. Published by the tiny, Birmingham based publisher, Tindal Street Press, after enduring years of rejections by publishers and agents for previous novels, Clare's story was a publishing fairytale come true. ASTONISHING SPLASHES OF COLOUR has sold over 100,000 copies since first publication in February 2003 and foreign rights have been sold in nine countries including Germany, US and Italy. Born in Devon, Clare works as a music teacher and lives in Birmingham. She has two grownup daughters.