When J.C. Jones was growing up in England, she nearly set the bed on fire when she put the lamp under the sheets so she could read all night. You might think that would put her off books, but no.

She still reads a lot and she especially enjoys stories about kids who dare to be different, probably inspired by characters from the tales of magical chocolate factories and enchanted gardens she loved as a child.

Today, she lives in Sydney in an old, crumbling but sadly unhaunted house, and likes going to the local park to walk her imaginary dog.