Stella Duffy has written thirteen novels, over fifty short stories, and ten plays. She has twice won Stonewall Writer of the Year and twice won the CWA Short Story Dagger.

HBO have optioned her two Theodora novels for television. In addition to her writing work, Stella is a theatre-maker and the co-director of the national Fun Palaces campaign for greater access to culture for all.

She was awarded an OBE in 2016 for her services to the Arts. 

Nick Harkaway is the author of two novels, The Gone-Away World and Angelmaker and a regular blogger for the Bookseller's FutureBook website.

From 1999 to 2008, he was a jobbing scriptwriter. During that time he also wrote brochure copy for a company selling bottle-capping machinery, and the website text for an exclusive lingerie boutique. He lives in London with his wife Clare, a human rights lawyer, and his daughter Clemency.

Cecelia Ahern is an international bestseller. She was catapulted into the spotlight with her hit debut novel, P.S. I Love You, which was adapted into a major movie.

Her subsequent novels have captured the hearts of readers in 46 countries – her themes touch a chord with people in every continent, with over 15 million copies of her books sold.

As well as writing novels, Cecelia has also created several TV series including the hit comedy series, Samantha Who?, in the USA.

Joanne Harris was born of a French mother and English father, and spent most of her childhood holidays on the island of Noirmoutier, in southern Brittany and Nerac, in Gascony, where she was immersed in French village life, folklore and tradition.

She is the author of two previous novels, Sleep, Pale Sister, and The Evil Seed. Her fourth, Blackberry Wine was published in March 2000 to great critical acclaim. Joanne lives in Yorkshire with her husband and young daughter.

Trudi Canavan lives in Melbourne, Australia.

She has been making up stories about things that don't exist for as long as she can remember, and was amazed when her first published story received an Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Short Story in 1999.

She has since published the bestselling Black Magician Trilogy: The Magicians' Guild, The Novice and The High Lord, and is now a bestselling author in the UK and the US.