A best-selling author who only learnt to read and write at 39 while working as a cleaner has now written 27 novels.

Karen Woods, 53, wrote her first book at 39 after taking an Adult Literacy course – and has now written best-selling books and sold-out theatre shows.

Hailed as Manchester’s Queen of Crime, the author credits reading and writing with changing her life and says she wants to represent people with bad starts in life.

Now, Karen has signed book deals with publisher HarperNorth, and has appeared on TV shows including Loose Women and The One Show.

Karen said: “I was bought up on a council estate and my mum and dad split up when I was 13.

"All of those excuses don’t matter, if you get a bit of confidence and self-belief anything is possible.

“I feel I represent all those people who had bad starts in life. I want to be the inspiration for women who think that because they’ve got kids, they can’t do what they want.

“Nothing is set in stone if you believe in yourself. I'm on my 27th novel now and my dream hasn’t stopped there.

“I write real books and real problems and I’ve been called Manchester’s Queen of Crime. I've always wanted to wear a crown.”