Jacqueline Wilson has been described as many things over the years, but one title that still surprises her is "gay icon".
In 2020, the British children's writer announced that she was in a long-term relationship with a woman.
The beloved author, who is known for her nuanced depictions of childhood struggles, has found a new and unexpected audience after opening up about her sexuality.
"I'm very touched to be thought of as a gay icon, it's an absolute delight," she tells the BBC.
Aged 78, she can't quite see herself "rampaging around with a rainbow flag, but I highly applaud and approve of anyone who does".
Wilson has just published her first adult novel which, among other themes, explores same-sex relationships.
Think Again is the sequel to the Girls series and follows the life of Ellie Allard, and her best friends Nadine and Magda, as she turns 40.
Wilson says the idea "has been on my mind for years and started when my daughter asked me if I ever wonder what happens to my characters when they grow up".
Having written more than 100 books, Wilson says now felt like the right time to write her first adult novel.
"In real time the girls would be hitting 40," she reflects, "and that's a significant age where you have to make big decisions, and, for some people, life doesn't look like what you dreamt of as a teenager".
'No happy ever after ending'
In the book, none of the three women has quite the life they hoped for and Ellie is stuck in a rut as she reaches her milestone birthday.
"The girls don't have their happy-ever-after ending but I didn't want to write something that is all grim because there are things in their lives that are great and fun," explains Wilson. "I just wanted it to be realistic."
"Nowadays many teenagers are quite depressed and anxious, but they also have big ideas and say, ‘I want to be this’ or ‘I’m going to do that’, which is fantastic but this story shows that you need to have a plan B or C."
The former children's laureate is also using the book as a way to highlight how "choice is the best thing in modern life".
Ellie, Magda and Nadine aren't in relationships that society would expect from middle-aged women.
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"There's not just one path nowadays," Wilson says. "In my generation we were told you either get married and have children or have a career but why can't you do both?
"Getting married young wasn't a sensible idea for me and women now are more sensible and work out what they want. It's finding it that's the difficult part!"