Ann Pilling was brought up in Warrington, Cheshire and many of her books are set in the industrial North West. After reading English at London University, she taught in Buckinghamshire, then spent time in America before returning to England and settling eventually in Oxford. She is married with two sons. Ann has been writing books for children since 1983.
Whenever possible, Ann retreats to the Yorkshire Dales which she calls ‘the country of my heart’.
Nigel Smith has been a journalist, busker, TV comedy producer and scriptwriter, winning an award for his BBC 4 radio comedy, VENT. More importantly, he has been – and still is – an embarrassing Dad. Much like Nathalia Buttface, his three children are continually mortified by his ill-advised trousers, comedic hats, low-quality jokes, poorly chosen motor vehicles, unique sense of direction and unfortunate ukulele playing.
The second of four children of barrister parents, Joan Robinson spent her early childhood in Hampstead Garden Suburb. She went to seven schools, but passed no exams. Having always wanted to be an illustrator, she began with fourteen books for small children, and later moved on to older children’s fiction. She is internationally renowned for her TEDDY ROBINSON books.
Magdalen Nabb was born in the Lancashire town of Church in 1947. She studied both art pottery and in 1975 she moved to Florence, Italy, and started work as a potter. She started writing crime thrillers for adults whilst in Italy and then began writing for children with her Josie Smith series. In 1995 she won the Smarties book prize for The Enchanted Horse.
Megan Cole is a celebrity and fashion blogger who lives in London with her best friend Jess. She has written for numerous magazines, flown all over the world interviewing stars and was once asked out for mojitos by an A-Lister, but had to leave to catch her flight. He wasn’t her type anyway (honest) but it was nice to be asked…
Mary Ellis was born in Oxford in August 1962. She grew up in Switzerland but came to school in England at the age of 11. She trained as a primary school teacher at the Froebel Institute and then taught for ten years in schools within London.
Mary married Andy Ellis ten years ago. He is also a writer of children’s books, as well as being an illustrator. They have a three year old daughter, Matilda. Luckily, she still has an afternoon nap, giving Mary time to write in peace!
J.R.R.Tolkien (1892-1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best known for writing The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, plus other stories and essays. His books have been translated into over 80 languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide.
Before quitting his job in publishing to write Department 19, Will Hill worked as a bartender, a bookseller and a door-to-door charity worker. He grew up in the north-east of England, is scared of spiders, and is a big fan of cats. He lives in east London with his girlfriend, where he splits his time between staring out of the window and staring at a computer screen. The latter tends to be more productive.
Anna James is a writer and journalist living in London. Anna was Book News Editor at The Bookseller and Literary Editor of Elle UK. Anna has written for The Pool, The LA Times, The Financial Times and The Independent, as well as making YouTube videos as A Case For Books. She hosts literary events and panels and is the co-founder and host of the London YA Salon. She was shortlisted for the Kim Scott Walwyn Award for Women in Publishing, 2015, and the London Book Fair Trailblazers Award, 2016.
