Unlike J K Rowling, with whom her success can be compared, best-selling children's author Jacqueline Wilson relies on a far more robust marketing strategy -- her readers' word of mouth. And that is why there will be standing room only when she visits Bolton Central Library next Tuesday. Nigel McFarlane reports

VISIT one of Bolton's booksellers tomorrow, and head for the Young Adults section. Ignore the Harry Potter posters, and you will see the shelves are filled with one name -- Jacqueline Wilson.

Back in the days when children and young adults read books simply because they engaged them, as opposed to being effectively marketed, Wilson ruled the roost. This month she is celebrating having sold 10 million copies of her books. The launch of a new Jacqueline Wilson book is rarely accompanied by the sort of fanfare that accompanies Potter, yet her book signings often last for six or seven hours.

"I always wanted to be a writer, and I wrote my first novel when I was nine, filling loads of exercise books."

She left school at 17, and went to work as a journalist for Dundee publisher DC Thompson (responsible for the Beano and The Dandy). She wrote stories for young girls for Jackie magazine (which the publisher named after her), and started to write books full time after the birth of her daughter.

"I think my books are successful because I don't talk down to the readers. Many young people are much more perceptive and troubled than adults give them credit for, and I make sure that comes across in the children's characters. Sometimes I upset adult readers because I write from the child's point of view, about parents who let them down. I can see that might be unsettling."

Her new novel, Lola Rose, is about domestic violence and breast cancer and is probably one of the best she has written. The mother behaves irresponsibly. She is loving but drinks too much, is hopeless with money, and doesn't know how to look after her children.

There is little escapism in Wilson's books, but there is plenty of understanding. Wilson somehow has the knack of tuning into the deepest insecurities and fears of her young readers, and turning them into stories that make sense.

Her mailbag is a testament to her ability to provide comfort. Every week she receives between 200 and 300 letters, and part of her working day is dedicated to responding. "Lots of children look on me as someone who understands, which is a wonderful feeling but also a great responsibility. I can make things turn out OK for children in my books but, although I try to be helpful, in life I haven't got any answers at all. Sometimes it can be daunting. I have had letters from children saying 'promise me my mum is going to get better'."

Wilson is a strong believer in using humour to get through situations. "I think humour is a good way of dealing with sad or worrying things. I wouldn't say I'm particularly optimistic -- but I always try hard to give my stories a happy ending. I don't think about balancing the sadness and humour as I write -- it just seems to sort itself out as I write the character's story."

If anything, that is the secret to Wilson's success. Millions of British teenagers read her books not because they help them escape from life, but because they talk frankly about the rotten life they can be living. And, like life, they show young people that adults are just as mixed up as they are, and it might, just might, turn out OK.

Jacqueline Wilson will be appearing at the Bolton Central Library lecture theatre next Tuesday at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from the Octagon theatre box office (01204 520661).