Cathy Glass lives in England with her three children; two birth children and one adopted. When she left school she held a clerical position in the civil service, which she left to start a family. At the same time she became a foster carer, which is the inspiration for much of her writing.
Cathy has been a foster carer for over twenty-five years and she is what’s known as a ‘specialist foster carer’, sometimes referred to as a level 3 carer. This is in recognition of her experience and qualifications and means that she is often asked to look after children with complex needs or very challenging behaviour. She has a degree in education and psychology which was awarded when she was a mature student.
Cathy began writing at school, with poems in the school magazine. In her teens she began writing short stories, articles, a few radio plays, and entering writing competitions. Like many writers it was a hobby whilst she was working and later fostering and looking after her family.
Her serious writing came together in 2007 when she wrote about a child she had fostered and the book immediately became a number one best seller. Since then there have been many bestsellers.
Cathy Glass is a pseudonym. The following are some of Cathy’s latest books:
Can I Let You Go? – Sept 2016
This is the true story of Faye, a wonderful young woman who possibly would not be able to parent her unborn child.
Faye is 24, pregnant and has learning difficulties as a result of her mother’s alcoholism. Faye is gentle, childlike and vulnerable and normally lives with her grandparents, both of whom have mobility problems. Cathy and her children welcome Faye into their home and hearts. The care plan is for Faye to stay with Cathy until after the birth when she will return home and the baby will go for adoption. Given that Faye never goes out alone it is something of a mystery how she ever became pregnant and Faye says it’s a secret.
To begin with Faye won’t acknowledge she is pregnant or talk about the changes in her body as she worries it will upset her grandparents, but after her social worker assures her she can talk to Cathy she opens up. However, this leads to Faye realizing just how much she will lose and she changes her mind and says she wants to keep her baby.
Is it possible Faye could learn enough to parent her child? Cathy believes it is and Faye’s social worker is obliged to give Faye the chance.
The Silent Cry – Feb 2016
This book tells the heart-breaking true story of a young, troubled mother who needed help and is the sixteenth fostering memoir by Cathy Glass.
It is the first time Laura has been out since the birth of her baby when Cathy sees her in the school playground. It is a joyful occasion, but Cathy has the feeling something is wrong. By the time she discovers what it is, it is too late. This is the true story of Laura whose life touches Cathy’s in a way she could never have foreseen. It is also the true stories of little Darrel, Samson and Hayley who she fosters when their parents need help. Some stories can have a happy ending and others cannot, but as a foster carer Cathy can only do her best.
Girl Alone – Sept 2015
Aged nine, Joss came home from school to discover her father’s suicide. She has never got over it.
This is the true story of Joss, 13, who is angry and out of control. Her mother remarries after her father’s suicide and Joss bitterly resents her step-father who abuses her mentally and physically.
Cathy takes Joss under her wing, but will she ever be able to get through to the warm-hearted girl she sees glimpses of underneath the vehement outbreaks of anger that dominate the house and will Cathy be able to build up Joss’s trust so she can learn the full truth of the terrible situation?