Ever the optimist, Debbie Young is an author, journalist and blooger who writes a wide range of non-fiction and fiction, all of which is showcased on her author website at www.authordebbieyoung.com, also home to her lively Young By Name blog.She is especially keen on short-form writing, such as flash fiction, short stories and blogging, but a novel may emerge eventually...As Commissioning Editor of the Alliance of Independent Authors' (ALLi's) blog of self-publishing advice at www.selfpublishingadvice.org, she is an expert in self-publishing, and has co-authored ALLi's groundbreaking new book, "Opening Up To Indie Authors". Her consultancy Off The Shelf Book Promotions helps other authors promote their work, supported by her acclaimed book promotion handbook for authors, "Sell Your Books!" and the associated blog of book promotion tips at www.otsbp.com. Debbie is available for public speaking about the subject at literary festivals and other events. 2014 speaking dates include the Cambridge Literature Festival, the Romantic Novelists Association Conference, SilverWood Books Open Days, and the Homeric Writers' Retreat and Workshop. She also enjoys appearing on her local radio station, BBC Radio Gloucestershire.She has a special interest in Type 1 Diabetes, which affects both her husband and her daughter. Her acclaimed ebook, "Coming To Terms With Type 1 Diabetes", will be released as a paperback, with new material added, in November 2014.An avid reader, she is book reviewer for Vine Leaves Literary Journal and Today's Child magazine and is currently a top 1,300 Amazon UK reviewer. As a journalist, she writes a long-running regular column for the Tetbury Advertiser and occasional articles for Writers & Artists and ALCS News. She is also a frequent guest blogger on various websites. Born and raised in Sidcup, Kent, Debbie spent part of her childhood in California and Frankfurt. After reading English at the University of York, she hopscotched between journalism, PR, marketing and the charity sector. She now writes and promotes books and self-publishing full time from her cottage in rural Gloucestershire, when not travelling to seek new adventures and inspiration in the family camper van.