Andrew Cope

Andy is a grown up who still manages to think as a child. He always describes himself as an ‘accidental author’ who came late to writing (he wrote his first book in 2005 at the grand old age of 37)! The idea for ‘Spy Dog’ came to him after watching a James Bond film with his family and wondering out loud whether Lara, their pet mutt, could actually be a super-sophisticated secret agent who was just pretending to be ‘normal’. The kids laughed at him but he thought it was a really good idea. So he tapped the ideas out on his laptop and read them to his daughter. She really liked the story so he decided to try and get it published.

As well as writing he runs his own training company called ‘Art of Brilliance’ which teaches people how to be brilliant. He runs these courses for businesses and schools. He teaches anyone who is polite enough to listen and has recently taken his classes to South Africa.

He has written The Art of Being Brilliant (Capstone), and also a book aimed at teenagers called A Brilliant Life (Balloon View Ltd). The idea for the latter came from the Innocent Smoothie carton, which was so simple and uncluttered that it made him think about writing something dead simple to inspire youngsters to positive thinking.

Apart from writing Andy loves music (almost anything except German opera, soul and hip hop). He is a sporting nut, especially football. Most Saturdays are ruined because he is a lifelong supporter of the hapless Derby County! He also loves learning new things and can often be found with his head in a self help book

Andy is married to Louise. He lives in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by fields and silence although quite often the silence is broken by their 2 children, Sophie and Ollie. Apart from Lara they have the usual family pets - guinea pigs, hamsters, goldfish – and two pet piglets, called Hargreaves and Rooney (affectionately known as his “boyz”).

Latest Publications:

SPY DOG: THE GUNPOWDER PLOT (4th August 2016, Puffin)

The FINAL adventure for Lara the Spy Dog!

Mr Big is on the loose. He's planning a final crime that will make him the most famous criminal alive: blowing up every prison in the country!

Lara and her spy team have their noses to the ground and know something evil is coming. Lara follows the clues to London and Big Ben's clock tower, where the explosives are set.

With help from the spy pups and spy cat, can she stop Mr Big once and for all...before the clock strikes midnight?

SPY CAT: SAFARI (2nd July 2015, Puffin)

The purrrfect spy is prowling a neighbourhood near you.

When talented and special animals start going missing across Britain, the Cook family know it's another job for their resident spy pets. Lara might be sure that the dogs can handle the case alone, but not everything goes according to the Spy Pups' plan.

Can Spy Cat Shakespeare prove his worth and save the Spy Pups' tails? And maybe even answer the age-old question.. which is better, cats or dogs?

Awards:

Spy Dog: Winner of the Redhouse Children’s Book of the Year 2006
Winner of Stockport Book Award, 2006
Shortlisted West Sussex Book Award, 2006
Winner of Richard and Judy’s Book Club (age 7+), 2007

Spy Dog 2: Winner of Doncaster Book Award 2007

Spy Dog Unleashed: Nottingham Book Award 2008