About Anna
Anna born in Yorkshire, began her career as a Civil Servant working in various government departments, but ultimately worked as part of a benefit fraud team in London.
An opportunity to return to Yorkshire several years later, the birth of her 2 children and the need for childcare, she aspired to run her own business. In 1988 she had the vision for Rainbow Child Care – now trading as a 93 place Children’s Day Nursery – in Ossett, West Yorkshire.
Anna recently celebrated 35 years in business with an Outstanding Ofsted Inspection.
She has also launched her own children’s publishing company, established a charity to help impoverished children and is the author of the Chavos Brand, Rianbo’s Travels, and other short stories.
Anna speaks at a variety of venues and whether it be children or adults is keen to encourage and inspire others to ignore the dream killers and keep going,
She is a member of the UK based Society of Women Writers and Journalists, works with UK and International School Specialists and is a trustee on several charitable enterprises.
‘My author visits to over 200 schools, have proved inspiring to both me and the children.’ She exclaims. ‘Ultimately, I love to deliver my own creative writing workshops for Key Stage 2 primary years.
The most creative minds sometimes need a little help getting started. I love to help.’ Says Anna.
Stirred by the plight of the world’s street children, Anna believes she was prompted to visit Mexico City in 2003. Not sure what she could possibly achieve but travelling – fuelled by her Christian faith – she ventured into impoverished communities, walked the streets, and literally knocked on doors. She stayed for several weeks, and it was then that she coined the phrase, am I crazy or what?’
Anna continued to visit Mexico many times over a period of 15 years, the story of that first visit and many subsequent visits is truly inspirational. It was by keeping a journal of events that she began to write the Chavos Novels.
She says that working as a Fraud Officer on the streets of London was good training for her when she took to the back streets of Mexico City. She has written a book about that too – her story – yet to be released!
Anna said, ‘self publishing and setting up my own publishing imprint is not for the faint hearted. It was challenging, enormous fun whilst being exhausting. As I continue to write I hope that one day a publishing house will be interested in buying the rights to my stories and ideas’
A stage adaptation – Chavos the Musical is written, has been in workshop and will be launched in the future.
Meanwhile Anna has many other books waiting to be released. She clearly loves telling stories!
‘If you have a vision in life, better to live with the concept that you pursued it to the best of your ability, rather than the regret of having not run the race and thought…what if?’
Anna Mckann