Reg Thompson

My first book Dear Charlie Letters to a lost Daughter was written in the desperate aftermath of my daughter Charlie's death in December 2005. She was thirteen years old and she was killed on a level crossing in Essex with her friend Olivia. At the time the accident made the national news and the court case with Network rail went on for seven years. Eventually, in March 2012 Network Rail was found guilty of two serious breaches of health and safety regulations which led directly to the deaths of Charlie and her friend Liv. I never felt completely comfortable about the publication of Dear Charlie but over the years the book has brought comfort to many people and it helps people to understand that when the worst happens, you are not alone.

Caring for Emily is a short book in diary form about my mother's battle with dementia. I became her principal carer for the last two years of her life and wrote in the heat of the moment, often only minutes after visiting her. It is raw and honest and even funny. I wrote it knowing that books like this can help others who find themselves in a similar situation.

Since my daughter's death I have been a teacher at a college in Essex. I teach film production and I am very lucky to have been able to guide many wonderful students and help to launch some onto fulfilling careers. Before becoming a teacher and in another life I worked for more than twenty years in the film and video industry. My wife Hilary has worked for the last six years as an LSP helping to support disabled and vulnerable students. Our two sons live with us. One is a musician, the other trying to build a career as a film maker.

I have just finished writing a novel called, for the moment, The hotel with a Toucan on the Roof. It's a comedy although the humour can be considered dark. It is also based upon a true story.