About this site and its creator, Emma Laybourn

This site was set up in 2017 to provide free, easy access to great literature in the public domain.

The abridgements of classic novels are designed to introduce famous but difficult works to readers who might not otherwise try them. The ebooks of classic English poetry have been compiled to fill a gap; it can be very hard to find free, well-formatted ebook editions of many poets.

After taking a degree in English at Liverpool University, I qualified as a teacher and librarian (with an MA at Sheffield University), and then worked in libraries and schools in north-west England for twenty-five years. In a parallel career as a writer, I've had seven children's books published, by Andersen Press and Random House, as well as about sixty short stories in various magazines.

In 2012 I set up my first website, Megamouse Books, to offer free children's stories and ebooks. This gave me practice in ebook formatting which I began to use to compile ebooks of classic poetry. Although the first was for my own use, it made sense to offer it to other readers online.

These literary works now have their own website. I hope to continue adding more ebooks over time.

My short stories, which were written chiefly for women's magazines, are now available as Large Print paperbacks for the visually impaired, and as ebook collections. You can find out more about them here.

If you wish to contact me, the best way is through the Goodreads website. (You will need to register with Goodreads to do this.)
You can add me as a friend, using the drop-down menu next to 'Follow author' on my Goodreads author page. This will allow you to send me a private message.
Alternatively, you do not need to add me as a friend to leave a message via the 'comments' section on my Goodreads blog. Just click on the heading of any of the blog posts and you will be able to post a comment at the bottom. Please be aware that a message left in this way will not be private.

Are you an adult learning English? My sister Clare Harris writes English learning resources, some of which are free. You can find out more here.

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