'The Raspberry Rules'

"For Wilfred and Ing, of the Ally Pally Garden Centre cafe (my 'second office', only with cake)"
Wilf and Ing have gone on to cake-pastures new, but there's still a cafe (and so still a second office for me!) at the garden centre – hurray!

'The Seventeen Secrets of the Karma Club'

"For Bel Cowie, though we never did meet..."
Bel was a local artist in Aberdeen, where I grew up. I used to see her prints in exhibitions, and my parents bought me one for passing all my exams when I was seventeen. When I went to college to do graphic design, one of my lecturers asked me if I was related to Bel, as I looked so like her. Of course, I wasn't, and hadn't even met her, but hoped I would one day. Sadly, it didn't happen, as she suddenly died soon after, but I still have her print on my office wall.

'An Urgent Message Of Wowness'

"For my bunch of heathers... Milly Heather (my sweetpea, my darling) and Heather Doyle (my lovely mum-in-law)"
Heather's always been a favourite name of mine, so it was great to be able to give my daughter a pretty Scottish middle name that also happens to be her granny's!

'Marshmallow Magic And The Wild Rose Rouge'

"For Stanley, who was there and then wasn't..."
A dedication for my big brother Stanley, who died when I was eleven.

'Candy Girl'

"In memory of Louisa (the real Miranda)"
Lovely Louisa was the sweet 'n' sunshiney editorial assistant on 'Just 17' when I worked there. Everyone who knew her missed her dreadfully when she was gone...

Ally's World 1: 'The Past, The Present And The Loud, Loud Girl'

"For Lorne Sausage Banana
For Lorne Sausage Bonella
For Lauren Banana
For Lauren Bonella!"
Lauren Bonella is my niece, and all the scored-out names are her various nicknames (mostly horrible, and mostly stuff she wanted to kill me for printing!).

Ally's World 2: 'Dates, Double Dates And Big, Big Trouble'

"For Alice Miller (aged 83-and-a-half) – the Princess of Alexandra Palace"
Alice was a neighbour of mine who grew up in Crouch End, and she was FANTASTIC. She told me this great story about her dancing around Ally Pally as a little girl singing, "I'm the princess of Alexandra Palace!" at the top of her voice. When I knew her, she was officially an old lady, but it never felt like that when you were just chatting to her - it felt like you were yakking to someone young and smiley and lovely.

Ally's World 3: 'Butterflies, Bullies And Bad, Bad Habits'

"For Rebecca Petrie – just because I want a dedication in return when SHE writes a book"
Rebecca is the daughter of my old school friend Ann. She started reading Ally's World when she was eight, and was already a bit of a whizz at reading and illustrating. She's now a very gorgeous grown-up teenage girl!

Ally's World 4: 'Friends, Freak-Outs And Very Secret Secrets'

"For Yulinda the Tooth Fairy – amongst other splendid things"
Yulinda Jong is one of my best and oldest friends (we've been buddies since we were 13, and she said that I had Chinese-ish almond eyes like hers!). Yulinda is tiny, pretty, smart and spiritual – and she is the tooth fairy because she is also a dentist.

Ally's World 5: 'Boys, Brothers And Jelly Belly Dancing'

"For Miss Lou – my shimmy-tastic buddy"
'Miss Lou' is Louise, who is another of my best buddies. Me and Lou started going to belly-dancing classes by accident – we thought it was supposed to be ballet-dancing classes! But belly-dancing turned out to be loads of fun!

Ally's World 6: Sisters, Super-Creeps and Slushy, Gushy Love Songs'

"For Cecy (aged 14), even though she's never read any of my books. (She keeps making excuses about how hard it is to turn the pages when you've only got paws)"
Cecy was my darling (oldest) cat, who died aged a very respectable 17 (80-something in cat years). She was a grump-bag who hissed and scratched, but she could still be adorable. (She always "prrrped" hello when you came into the room.)

Ally's World 7: Parties, Predicaments and Under-cover Pets'

"For 'Sweet Charisma' – whoever you are..."
'Sweet Charisma' is part of the e-mail address of the person who gave me my first review EVER – of 'The Past, The Present And The Loud, Loud Girl' on Amazon.co.uk. It was SUCH a thrill to see my first review.

Ally's World 8: 'Tattoos, Tell-Tales and Terrible, Terrible Twins'

"For the real Colin (and his real three legs) and Derek (a real cat-that-isn't-Colin)"
Colin and Derek were my neighbours’ cats (till we moved round the corner). Derek and Colin have now gone to the great cat basket in the sky, but I'm still great friends with their owner Ruth, and he new cat Daisy Featherbrain. (To see the real Colin's very own website, check out: http://www.serlin.co.uk/personal/colin.html)

Ally's World Book 9: 'Mates, Mysteries and Pretty Weird Weirdness'

"For Freddie, the original gnome-shifting culprit..."
Freddie is my grown-up nephew, who is very lovely and very funny. He more-or-less did what Billy did in the book (naughty boy...).

Ally's World Book 10: 'Daisy, Dad and the Huge, Small Surprise'

"For Nancy McCombie, who force-fed me books till I loved reading (thanks, Mum)"
Nancy was my mum (I called her my mini mum because she was so little). She was really thrilled with me writing the 'Ally's World' series, and saw this dedication just a week or two before she sadly died.

Ally's World Book 11: 'Rainbows, Rowan and True, True Romance (?)'

"For my top three teachers ever: Miss Thomson (Sunnybank School), Miss McIver (Skene Square School) and Mr Constable (Aberdeen Grammar School)"
Well, school can sometimes be a bit of a drag, but there are always some brilliant, funny, inspiring teachers along the way, aren't there?

Ally's World Book 12: 'Visitors, Vanishings and Va-Va-Va Voom'

"For Spike, for being an ace artist AND for helping me with my French homework"
Spike is Spike Gerrell, the gorgeous person who illustrated the original 'Ally's World', 'Stella Etc' and 'Marshmallow Magic And The Wild Rose Rouge'. (He can draw brilliantly AND speak French – ooh la la!)

Ally's World Book 13: 'Crushes, Cliques and the Cool, School Trip'

"For Anita – the person who said, 'Why don't you call it Ally's World?'"
Anita is another best buddy. She is very good at coffee, cake and chatting. Hurrah!

Ally's World Book 14 'Hassles, Heart-pings and Sad, Happy Endings'

"For Tom, my absolute bestest buddy (who was wondering where his dedication went to)"
Tom is my husband. We've been together since I was 22 and he was 18, and don't feel like we’re much older (even though, ahem, we ARE a bit....)

Ally's World Christmas Special: 'Angels, Arguments And A Furry, Merry Christmas'

"For all the angels, shepherds and all my other chums at West Green School"
West Green Primary School in Tottenham, London, asked me along to open their new library. The school had a fantastic atmosphere – AND they invited me to their Christmas play, which inspired me to do the Christmas play scene in 'Angels, Arguments And A Furry, Merry Christmas'.

'A Guided Tour of Ally's World'

"For Ethan"
Spike Gerrell (the wonderful illustrator of Ally's World') had a brand new shiny baby boy about the time this came out, so Ethan Gerrell HAD to get the dedication, didn't he?

Ally’s World Summer Special: ‘Sunshine, Sunburn And Not-So-Sweet-Nothings’

“For Hilary and Ellie! (With lurve and thanx)”
Hilary is my lovely agent, and Ellie is her equally lovely daughter!

Stella Etc 1: 'Frankie, Peaches & Me'

"For Kirsty Etc* (*Amanda and Tim)"
Kirsty was my editor at Scholastic Books, and a bit of a buddy too. Amanda was also another editor there (and another buddy) and Tim (a buddy who’s since moved onto pastures new) put the covers together after Spike did his great drawings.

Stella 2: 'Sweet-Talking TJ'

"For Alison, who was Alyx (silent 'x') back when we were 14"
Alison was one of my best friends from school in Scotland. We lost touch for years – till we found out we both lived in London. Spook!

Stella 3: ‘Meet The Real World, Rachel’

“For Justine (My Just 17 pal)”
It’s been quite a few years since me and Justine worked together on Just 17 magazine (which doesn’t exist anymore). But we’re still mates, as are our daughters, Freya and Scarlett and Milly (aww…).

Stella 4: ‘Truly, Madly Megan’

“……….”
Oops, I completely forgot to write a dedication for this – mainly because we were moving house and getting lots of building work done when I was finishing this book off. (It’s very hard to concentrate when you’ve got to make endless cups of tea for teams of Albanian plasterers.)

Stella 5: ‘Amber And The Hot Pepper Jelly’

“For Wendy (writer, mother, Peruvian explorer)”
Wendy’s a v. good friend from Scotland, who is a journalist, mum to the lovely Tasmin (see the dedication for Indie Kidd 3), and also once stomped up mountains in Peru to raise money for charity (NOT wearing her ever-present high heels).

Stella 6: ‘Twists, Turns & 100% Tilda’

“For Susan, for very old times' sake!”
Susan was my best friend at school, and I hadn’t seen her for a gazillion years, till she came along to the Edinburgh Book Festival where I was talking – and introduced me to her two daughters. (Hi, Catherine, hi, Jenny!)

Stella 7: ‘Forever And Ever & Evie’

“For Ruby, who was once a London girl, then became an Isle of Mull beach babe”
Ruby is the gorgeous daughter of my friends Sheena and Martin. She left London when she was a teeny toddler, and now surfs with the seals off the west coast of Scotland. How cool is that?

Sadie Rocks 1: Happiness And All That Stuff

"For my big brother Fred. Who taught me to read (not). Love, KaKa x"
At the age of 12, Fred claimed that he taught me – his new baby sister – to read, by leaving his copies of the 'Beano' comic in my pram. Er, I think I probably just sucked the corner of it to be honest…

Sadie Rocks 2: Deep Joy, Or Something Like It

"For Betty L. ‘For warmest thoughts and wishes, to travel where you are…"
Betty was a bit of a token granny to me, and always gave me Christmas presents, along with her real grandkids. One particular pressie that I’m very fond of is a fantastically corny but cute tartan wall-plaque with this mini-poem on it: “Although we’re not together, No distance is too far, For warmest thoughts and wishes, To travel where you are". Gets me twinkly-eyed every time!

Sadie Rocks 3: It's All Good (In Your Dreams)

"In memory of Jeannie, the wrestling queen"
Jeannie McCombie was my lovely Nana, who was (thankfully) nothing like Sadie Bird's awful Nonna. When I was little, we'd visit every Saturday afternoon, and I'd sit with a packet of Iced Gem biscuits and try and figure out why she loved shouting at these big growly blokes dressed in tights on the telly so much. (Wrestling's so weird.)

Sadie Rocks 4: Smile! It's Meant To Be Fun

"For Faye Wylie. Thanks for coming along for the ride!"
Faye's been a fan of my books for years – she's 19 now, and hoping to be an author herself one day. Remember, you read her name here first!!

Indie Kidd 1: ‘How To Be Good(ish)’

“For Dylan Hood (Indie’s got her Dylan but this one’s mine!)”
Dylan is my lovely, cuddly, adorable, bouncy-as-Tigger godson. Though he looks like a total skater-boy now!

Indie Kidd 2: ‘Oops, I Lost My Best(est) Friends’

“For Rachel Petrie, because it’s only fair!”
Rachel is Rebecca’s sister (see the dedication for Ally’s World 3), and like I say, it’s only fair!

Indie Kidd 3: ‘Being Grown-Up Is Cool (Not)’

“For Tasmin, all the way away in Kirriemuir!”
Tas is my Scottish friend Wendy’s very lovely daughter. Never heard of Kirriemuir? Well, maybe this dedication will get you looking it up on an atlas.

Indie Kidd 4: ‘Are We Having Fun Yet? (Hmm?)’

“For Cecily (though she'll have to grow up a little bit before she can read this dedication!)”
My godson Dylan’s little sis, who has the huuuugest blue eyes!

Indie Kidd 5: ‘Wow, I'm a Gazillionnaire (I Wish)’

"For Dad (miss that smile)"
My dad died years ago, but I’ve still got lots of photos of him round the house, with his big, infectious grin!

Indie Kidd 6: ‘My Big (Strange) Happy Family’

“For everyone who's ever had a family split up and come back together in a different shape”
Hopefully this one speaks for itself!

Indie Kidd 7: ‘Me And The School (Un) Fair’

“For Freya and her fabulously Fee-ish curls”
Freya is my daughter's best(est) friend and lives four houses away, so we see lots of her and her (blonde) Fee-style curls.

Indie Kidd 8: ‘I Spy A (Not So) White Lie’

“For the always lovely Ella (Bella) Gregory”
Ella has read a whole heap of my books, and she's only eight! Maybe I'll be reading books she's written one of these days!

Indie Kidd Special: ‘My (Most Excellent) Pet Project’

“In memory of 100% Cotton, my first ever pet. (The best darn goldfish a girl could ever have...)”
My little fishy got its name because a sticker saying '100% Cotton' fluttered off my new school shirt and landed on the goldfish bowl. So you could say the name literally stuck!

Indie Kidd Special: ‘Indie Kidd's (Most Excellent) Best Friends Guide’

“For Izzy, one of my bestest small friends (and Milly's, of course!)”
Izzy is one of my best friend's two daughters. She's the same age as my Milly and they're like cousins. Too cute!

Indie Kidd Special: ‘Indie Kidd's (Most Excellent) Guide To Fun For Free’

“For Molly, who (just like Tigger) is always fun, fun, fun, fun, FUN!!”
Here're some facts about Molly: 
1) she has just turned seven
2) she is my friend's little girl
3) she has as much energy as the Duracell bunny, and...
4) she has a smile that's like sunshine!

OLDER TEEN BOOKS

'My Funny Valentine'

"For Wendy, for all her help with the research (ie an excuse for tea, biscuits and gossiping)"
Wendy is my chum, and the mum of my gorgeous godson Dylan, and his wee sis Cecily.

'Blissed Out'

"For Marina, who started the whole ball rolling"
Marina is my friend from when we used to work together on UK teen magazines like J17 (which doesn't exist any more) and Sugar. When Sugar magazine launched, Marina asked me to write short stories for it... after that, I thought it would be fun to write proper books and started down that path. So thank you for inspiring me, Marina!

'Wonderland'

"For Trisha McCombie, with loads of love"
Trisha is my sis-in-law (ie, used to be married to my big bruv Fred). She is not so much a sis-in-law as a big sister to me.Older Teen Books: 'In Sarah's Shadow'

'In Sarah's Shadow'

"For the four girls at Coombe Girls' School who helped inspire a plot twist. (You know who you are!)"
I did a workshop at Coombe Girls' School in London, and all the pupils in the class had to go in groups and come up with a prologue for an imaginary book. Four girls came up with a brilliant one, and asked me to use it in a future book. Well, when I came to writing 'In Sarah's Shadow' I thought of their plot twist and decided to use it - and to dedicate the book to them. I didn't remember their names though, so I contacted the English department of their school, but no-one ever got back in touch with me. So boo to the unhelpful head of English, and hurrah for the four girls (who hopefully do know who they are!).

'My Sister - The Superbitch'

"For two sisters who are always super and never bitches - Claire and Emma McCombie"
Claire and Emma are my lovely and beautiful teenage nieces in Scotland, who bicker like any other sisters but aren't anything like the sisters in the book - honest!