Petrus Ursem was born in The Netherlands, the youngest son in a family of nine children. From his father he learned to play with words and turn them inside out. His mother taught him to listen and observe.
Petrus studied literature at the University of Utrecht, then worked as a writer in the world of education whilst studying fine art in The Hague. When he moved to England his creative work as a painter and printmaker took flight. You can see his work as a visual artist on www.peterursem.co.uk
His move to Cornwall in 2011 rekindled his desire to write children’s novels. Encouraged by the positive feedback on his first novel for young adults, ‘The Fortune of the Seventh Stone’, it proved impossible to put the writing spirit back into the bottle…
Petrus lives in the Tamar Valley, enjoying fabulous views over this magic landscape that forms the backdrop for the Steven Honest trilogy. The Dartmoor landscape, prominent throughout the Steven Honest books and in particular part III, Black as Ink, also inspires his multi-coloured lino prints. As a printmaker Petrus (Peter) works on a Victorian Albion printing press, which takes pride of place in his studio: Gresham House Studio-Gallery