A CHILDREN'S author from Seend is on cloud nine after receiving an international literary award in Las Vegas last Friday.

Sarah Hill, author of the Whimsy Wood series, accepted her accolade at a black tie awards ceremony after coming first in the Chapter Book category in the International Children’s Literary Classics Book Awards.

The ecstatic 40-year-old swept aside the competition for Posie Pixie And The Fireworks Party; the fourth in a series of books for five to eight year-olds.

"It is all rather nuts to put it mildly. I am still in a state of euphoria, disbelief and shock," she said.

"In the run-up to the awards I felt incredibly excited and nervous but it was an absolute privilege and an experience that will remain engraved in my memory forever."

The ceremony was part of a manic few days for her and her husband Matt, who flew out on October 13 to attend the winning authors' round table dinner and last Saturday she went to the Vegas Valley Book Festival to sign, read and sell her books - which featured over 10,000 people.

Despite flying back on Tuesday, Mrs Hill's hectic schedule continues when she attends the Devizes Literary Festival this Saturday.