helen griffiths

Helen retired from writing junior fiction some 40 years ago, but her books are still being read by fans and new readers in various parts of the world, perhaps because the themes are timeless.

She wrote her first story with chalk on a school slate when she was 5, was awarded the Matthew Arnold Memorial prize (given only every 3 years to a London school child) when she was 12, and published her first book, Horse in the Clouds, at 17, which immediately became an international success. She was commended by the prestigious Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medal Award for The Wild Horse of Santander; received the Dutch Silver Pencil Award for Witch Fear (voted the best children's book of the year in Holland) and was given the Honorary title of “Daughter of Mark Twain” for her adult novel, The Dark Swallows. 

Many of her books have been published throughout Europe and in the USA, as well as in countries as diverse as Argentina, Iceland and Israel, while Witch Fear (The Mysterious Appearance of Agnes in the USA) still sells in Germany (Hoxentochter). 

While busily producing a new title every year, Helen also produced 3 daughters who have since provided her with 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. 

Born in London, brought up in West Yorkshire, and living some 20 years in Spain, before finally settling in Bath, a city totally unknown to her and chosen by chance, these  very different places forged her writing career as well as her character. Among other things she has worked as a cowgirl, a secretary, and a TEFL teacher, as well as writing books and being a wife and mother.

Animals have played a significant role in her life and writing alike. In Spain she was always rescuing street dogs and cats, while in Bath she somehow managed to acquire as many as five horses (looked after by her daughters). One of her best loved books was Just a Dog, which received many fan letters from young readers, and is a partially true story of how Shadow became a much loved member of the family and was eventually brought to Bath. 

Her husband’s sudden death in a car crash while the children were still young brought Helen back to England, and it was in Bath that she became a Christian, giving her a totally new life and career. She has written several books for a Christian publisher under her married name - Helen Santos - which have also been published internationally. But this apart, for some 15 years she had a teaching/preaching ministry in both England and Spain.

Helen was invited to write an autobiographical sketch which appeared in the series, “Something About the Author, Vol 5”, published by Gale Research Co., Michigan, where a more detailed biography can be found. Her grandchildren persuaded her to republish, with their help, some of her most popular titles as e-books. The Greyhound, The Dark Swallows, The Last Summer, Dancing Horses, Hari’s Pigeon, Just a Dog and Moshie Cat are now available via Amazon, on Kindle and in paperback. She also spent three years editing and translating her father-in-law’s autobiography, MY LIFE/MI VIDA, available as an e-book and on Kindle.