John Boyne was born in Ireland in 1971. He is the author of ten novels for adults, five for young readers and a collection of short stories.

Perhaps best known for his 2006 multi-award-winning book The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, John’s other novels, notably The Absolutist and A History of Loneliness, have been widely praised and are international bestsellers.

In 2015, John chaired the panel for the Giller Prize, Canada’s most prestigious literary award. The Heart’s Invisible Furies is his most ambitious novel yet.

Paul Howard studied graphic design in Leicester, graduating in 1989 with first class honours. For a time he worked in London's Natural History Museum. He lives in Ireland. He won the Blue Peter Children's Book Award 2001.