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Mike French : Senior Editor
Locatio
n:UK
Mike was born in Cornwall in 1967, and spent his childhood there and in Forres in Scotland with a few early years in Singapore. He is married with three “wonderful kids” and currently lives in Luton in the UK.
The owner and senior editor of The View From Here literary magazine, he also enjoys painting, watching Formula 1, eating Ben & Jerry's icecream and listening to Noah and the Whale. His second novel, Blue Friday is now completed and he is starting work on his third novel. For the last ten years Mike has been a “home dad” after giving up his job in optical engineering to look after the kids full time – much of his first novel, The Ascent of Isaac Steward was written during their afternoon naps!
n:UKMike was born in Cornwall in 1967, and spent his childhood there and in Forres in Scotland with a few early years in Singapore. He is married with three “wonderful kids” and currently lives in Luton in the UK.
The owner and senior editor of The View From Here literary magazine, he also enjoys painting, watching Formula 1, eating Ben & Jerry's icecream and listening to Noah and the Whale. His second novel, Blue Friday is now completed and he is starting work on his third novel. For the last ten years Mike has been a “home dad” after giving up his job in optical engineering to look after the kids full time – much of his first novel, The Ascent of Isaac Steward was written during their afternoon naps!
Claire King : Managing Editor Fiction
Location:France
Claire King is a writer of short fiction and literary novels. Her debut novel, The Night Rainbow, will be published by Bloomsbury, March 2013. She blogs at www.claire-king.com and can be found as @ckingwriter on Twitter. Claire likes to read fiction that shakes your mind as well as your heart.
Claire King is a writer of short fiction and literary novels. Her debut novel, The Night Rainbow, will be published by Bloomsbury, March 2013. She blogs at www.claire-king.com and can be found as @ckingwriter on Twitter. Claire likes to read fiction that shakes your mind as well as your heart.
kaleeM rajA : Managing Editor Poetry
Location: UK
An eccentric, subversive poetry writer and educator, Kaleem is a member of the London Poetry Society and Irish Forum Literary Society. He has had work published in Ink magazine and Insite magazine and is presently studying a masters degree in Educational Studies and Leadership and undertaking creative writing and journalism courses. Taught in Saudi Arabia and about to take up a deputy headship at a private school in Nairobi, Africa, Kaleem is currently acting as school’s advisor and curriculum developer at the Bury Park Educational Institute. He’s also a member of the arts and PR team at the Discover Islam project and is an ESOL tutor at the BACC. Near future projects include a collection of essays about Luton, a biography, an Islamic collection of Aesop’s fables, Kaleem’s Art Korner at Dallow Community Centre, Luton Voices at the Wardown Park Museum and Gallery and local poetry writing workshops and recitals.
An eccentric, subversive poetry writer and educator, Kaleem is a member of the London Poetry Society and Irish Forum Literary Society. He has had work published in Ink magazine and Insite magazine and is presently studying a masters degree in Educational Studies and Leadership and undertaking creative writing and journalism courses. Taught in Saudi Arabia and about to take up a deputy headship at a private school in Nairobi, Africa, Kaleem is currently acting as school’s advisor and curriculum developer at the Bury Park Educational Institute. He’s also a member of the arts and PR team at the Discover Islam project and is an ESOL tutor at the BACC. Near future projects include a collection of essays about Luton, a biography, an Islamic collection of Aesop’s fables, Kaleem’s Art Korner at Dallow Community Centre, Luton Voices at the Wardown Park Museum and Gallery and local poetry writing workshops and recitals.
Paul Burman: Writer
Location:Australia
Paul Burman writes from the Shipwreck Coast of Victoria, Australia. His debut novel The Snowing and Greening of Thomas Passmore was published by PaperBooks (UK) in September 2008 and his second novel The Grease Monkey's Tale was released in July 2010.
Paul Burman writes from the Shipwreck Coast of Victoria, Australia. His debut novel The Snowing and Greening of Thomas Passmore was published by PaperBooks (UK) in September 2008 and his second novel The Grease Monkey's Tale was released in July 2010.
Naomi Gill: Cartoonist.
Location:
USA
Naomi is a writer and artist "attempting to get far too many creative projects off the ground." Since 2006, she's managed to maintain a webcomic, Mary Quite Contrary. She also has a number of comic books and short stories in the works. When not toiling away at one of these she can usually be found frying her brain on the web or playing with her pet rabbit, Giol.
USANaomi is a writer and artist "attempting to get far too many creative projects off the ground." Since 2006, she's managed to maintain a webcomic, Mary Quite Contrary. She also has a number of comic books and short stories in the works. When not toiling away at one of these she can usually be found frying her brain on the web or playing with her pet rabbit, Giol.
Jen Persson:Writer & Interviewer
Location:UK
Jen Persson is a language lover who studied German and Italian at Oxford. Her early career was in Public Relations and Marketing, but also included bakeries and a stint as a Christmas Elf. She is currently employed as a technical Business Analyst. Born in Scotland, she lived abroad from 1997 but returned to the UK in late 2009 and is married with three young children. She enjoys YA work as well as literary and book club fiction.
Jen Persson is a language lover who studied German and Italian at Oxford. Her early career was in Public Relations and Marketing, but also included bakeries and a stint as a Christmas Elf. She is currently employed as a technical Business Analyst. Born in Scotland, she lived abroad from 1997 but returned to the UK in late 2009 and is married with three young children. She enjoys YA work as well as literary and book club fiction.
Fossfor: Artist
Location: Belgium
Vicky aka Fossfor is an artist born in the UK and living in Brussels with her partner and 2 cats. She used to be a freelancer in illustration and the animation industry but now devotes her time to personal projects including 2 blogs and a comic called Piggerypokery.
Vicky aka Fossfor is an artist born in the UK and living in Brussels with her partner and 2 cats. She used to be a freelancer in illustration and the animation industry but now devotes her time to personal projects including 2 blogs and a comic called Piggerypokery.
Jane Turley : Writer & Book Reviewer
Location:UK
Jane Turley began writing for fun when her youngest son started school. Little did she know she would grow to love the sound of her own voice so much that her children would lock her in the wardrobe for some peace. Jane considers herself a humourist whilst others tend to humour her. It’s a problem. Jane has written for the BBC and contributes regularly to the literary magazine The View From Here as well as writing her blog The Witty Ways of a Wayward Wife and working on her first novel. Jane has lots of qualifications, including a full driving licence. A fact which some people find truly remarkable.
Jane Turley began writing for fun when her youngest son started school. Little did she know she would grow to love the sound of her own voice so much that her children would lock her in the wardrobe for some peace. Jane considers herself a humourist whilst others tend to humour her. It’s a problem. Jane has written for the BBC and contributes regularly to the literary magazine The View From Here as well as writing her blog The Witty Ways of a Wayward Wife and working on her first novel. Jane has lots of qualifications, including a full driving licence. A fact which some people find truly remarkable.
Grace Read : Book Reviewer
Location:UK
Grace Read lives in North Hertfordshire with her husband and her cat. She developed a love of books during her English A Level and English undergraduate degree, where she was forced to 'chain-read' a number of texts each week. This proved an enjoyable challenge as Grace is a slow reader and easily lost in plot twists! In her spare time Grace loves giggling, stretching, reading, shopping, chatting, working, dancing and volunteering.
Kerrie Anne : Writer & Interviewer
Location:Australia
Born in Sydney Australia in 1967. Her interests vary from the Environment to Art, with a passion for reading anything she can get her hands on. Being a mother of many, artist and writer has given her an interesting understanding of human nature and the way of the world. Currently Kerrie is writing her first work, traveling and generally enjoying life.
Shanta Everington : Writer
Location:UK
The author of one novel for adults, Marilyn and Me (Cinnamon Press, 2007), and one novel for teenagers, Give Me a Sign (Flame Books, 2008), Shanta has an MA in Creative Writing with Distinction from Manchester Metropolitan University and teaches Creative Writing with The Open University in London. Shanta's poems and short stories have been published in various small presses, with her story, Hang Up, shortlisted for The Bridport Prize 2009, due out in the Unthology collection with Unthanks books later this year. Shanta also writes parenting books for Need2Know Books with current titles, The Terrible Twos: A Parent's Guide (2010) and Baby's First Year: A Parent's Guide (2011).
Visit Shanta's site shantaeverington.co.uk
Vicky Roberts : Book Reviewer
Location:UK
After her English literature teacher at high school told Vicky Roberts to “Never stop writing”, she has regretfully done precisely that; stopped writing! The reality of life as a busy mum of four young, adorable children has put a temporary hold on her dream to one day write her own novel. She hopes to rectify this in the future but for the time being is content with and enjoying reading and reviewing the work of others. She has always taken great pleasure in reading and throughout her life has found comfort, escapism, joy and immense satisfaction from reading a good book. Studying English literature and language at Loughborough University not only gave her a greater technical knowledge and critical awareness of literature but also the skills she now uses in reviewing and occasionally proof reading other's work. Other pursuits and hobbies include volunteering for MacMillan Cancer Support, coaching gymnastics and more recently, tap dancing!
After her English literature teacher at high school told Vicky Roberts to “Never stop writing”, she has regretfully done precisely that; stopped writing! The reality of life as a busy mum of four young, adorable children has put a temporary hold on her dream to one day write her own novel. She hopes to rectify this in the future but for the time being is content with and enjoying reading and reviewing the work of others. She has always taken great pleasure in reading and throughout her life has found comfort, escapism, joy and immense satisfaction from reading a good book. Studying English literature and language at Loughborough University not only gave her a greater technical knowledge and critical awareness of literature but also the skills she now uses in reviewing and occasionally proof reading other's work. Other pursuits and hobbies include volunteering for MacMillan Cancer Support, coaching gymnastics and more recently, tap dancing!
Megan Taylor : Writer & Book Reviewer
Location:UK
Megan Taylor was born in London in 1973. She has always loved disappearing into stories. Her debut novel ‘How We Were Lost’ was published in 2007 (Flame) after placing second in the Yeovil Prize. She began her second novel while studying for a Creative Writing MA (for which she was lucky enough to be awarded a Distinction). ‘The Dawning’ (Weathervane Press), a dark, literary thriller, was released in January 2010. Megan currently lives in Nottingham. Between looking after her children, working and reading, she’s enjoying writing her third book, ‘The Lives of Ghosts.’
Megan Taylor was born in London in 1973. She has always loved disappearing into stories. Her debut novel ‘How We Were Lost’ was published in 2007 (Flame) after placing second in the Yeovil Prize. She began her second novel while studying for a Creative Writing MA (for which she was lucky enough to be awarded a Distinction). ‘The Dawning’ (Weathervane Press), a dark, literary thriller, was released in January 2010. Megan currently lives in Nottingham. Between looking after her children, working and reading, she’s enjoying writing her third book, ‘The Lives of Ghosts.’
Bradley Wind : Writer and illustrator
Location: USA
Bradley Wind, known throughout various parts of the planet as a no-budget movie maker, author of two novels, toy designer, video artist, Director of IT, painter, father of two, lover of pre-80s Stevie Wonder and master blaster, currently resides in East Coventry Pennsylvania with his wife and long to-do list.
Bradley Wind, known throughout various parts of the planet as a no-budget movie maker, author of two novels, toy designer, video artist, Director of IT, painter, father of two, lover of pre-80s Stevie Wonder and master blaster, currently resides in East Coventry Pennsylvania with his wife and long to-do list.
Deborah Lawrenson : Writer & Book Reviewer
Location: UK & France
Deborah Lawrenson graduated from Cambridge University and worked as a journalist in London. She is the author of six novels, including The Art of Falling, chosen for the prestigious WHSmith Fresh Talent promotion, and Songs of Blue and Gold, inspired by the life of writer-traveller Lawrence Durrell. She is married with a daughter, and lives in Kent and a crumbling hamlet in Provence, France, which is the atmospheric setting for The Lantern, published in the UK in July 2011, and in the US in September 2011.
Deborah Lawrenson graduated from Cambridge University and worked as a journalist in London. She is the author of six novels, including The Art of Falling, chosen for the prestigious WHSmith Fresh Talent promotion, and Songs of Blue and Gold, inspired by the life of writer-traveller Lawrence Durrell. She is married with a daughter, and lives in Kent and a crumbling hamlet in Provence, France, which is the atmospheric setting for The Lantern, published in the UK in July 2011, and in the US in September 2011.
