Chris Carse Wilson had been writing in secret for most of his adult life. Even his wife didn't know. His debut novel, FRAY, is a taut, literary suspense novel which he wrote on bus journeys to and from his day job. His publishers HarperCollins have described FRAY as 2023's most haunting and mysterious novel. ‘Beautiful, amazing, mesmerising’ Alan Cumming. ‘This hallucinatory debut will grab you’ Damian Barr. 'A dark and atmospheric masterpiece' Vikki Patis. ‘Awe-inspiring' Alex Pine. 'Utterly spellbinding' Marion Todd. Chris lives in Dundee with his wife and daughter and is V&A's Communications Manager.
Adam Howorth is a fresh, new voice. His natural gift for world creation has drawn comparisons to masters of magic realism such as Neil Gaiman, Kazuo Ishiguro and Angela Carter. His debut novel ANOTHER GIRL MISSING is a tense, otherworldly, time slip novel. 'The feeling of history and time and old monks and old learning coexisting with our own time is so intriguing. A serious achievement’ Stephen Fry. ‘Original and arresting. There is an element of late Ishiguro.’ Geordie Greig, Independent. ‘An enchanting world that is thoroughly immersive’ Rosie Nixon, Hello. When not writing, Adam is Communications Director for Apple. He helped launch the iPhone, once bought Steve Jobs a hot chocolate and lives in London with his wife and daughters.
Elvis McGonagall is a World Slam champion poet, stand-up comedian and razor-sharp satirist. 'He is one of my favourite poets. He performs with honesty and integrity and makes me laugh, think and feel.' Henry Normal. 'The world would be a dimmer place without him.' Lemn Sissay. 'Brilliantly anarchic. Verbally agile. Always a treat.' Joan Bakewell. Two series of the sitcom 'Elvis McGonagall Takes a Look on the Bright Side' have been broadcast on BBC Radio 4, his 'Stand-Up Special' was the featured Radio 4 'Comedy of the Week' podcast, and his documentary 'My Name is Elvis', was featured on Radio 4's Pick of the Week. He regularly pops us on TV and performs at literary and music festivals, including Glastonbury. He has published two collections of poetry and is currently working on a new book, entitled FEAR AND LOATHING IN BROUGHTY FERRY. He lives in Stroud.
Rosie Sandler is a natural born storyteller. She crafts vibrant characters and addictive plots with ease. Her skilful and polished debut adult novel, THE GARDENER (Bonnier, April 2023), is the first in a three-book series of locked room murder mysteries full of suspicion, red-herrings and side plots. She co-authored the Agatha Oddly children's detective series, has led workshops for the Greenway Literary Festival at Agatha Christie's former holiday home and her poetry has been widely published in anthologies and journals. She was mentored by Sophie Hannah (bestselling author of the New Hercule Poirot Mysteries) and lives in Langford, Essex.
Tom Hamer is a 24-year-old from Rossendale, Lancashire. He is the first para swimmer to represent Team England in the S14 intellectually impaired category. He led a Team GB homecoming parade as a double medal-winning Paralympian, broke a Commonwealth Games World Record and was shortlisted for BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year. Yet, when asked what he is most proud of in life, he says, 'I can't think of anything.' The reason for this is he is ashamed. He grew up unable to read or write. He has severe dyslexia and ADHD. DISLABELLED is a young, fresh, forward-thinking book about invisible disability. He also hosts a radio show and is product designing a new-generation swimming pool. He lives in Manchester.
Aidan Martin writes in authentic, crackling dialect, using fast-paced storytelling to highlight important social themes. His first book EUPHORIC RECALL: A TRUE STORY OF GRIT AND HOPE was widely acclaimed. 'A truly essential read for those interested in lived experiences - not just statistics' Darren McGarvey, Orwell prize-winning author of Poverty Safari. 'We need more books like this - authentic and brutally honest about growing up in working class Scotland.' David Wilson, Professor of Criminology, bestselling author and TV presenter. 'Illuminating and important.' Adam Alter, New York Times bestselling author. Aidan is a public speaker, campaigner and activist. He recently presented LET'S TALK ABOUT TRAUMA, a 30-minute, prime-time TV documentary linked to STV's Children's Appeal with Lorraine Kelly and has established THE SCHEME, a charity providing support for young people struggling with the issues raised in his books. He lives in Livingston.
Jade Maitre is an author of meticulously researched historical fiction that challenges accepted versions of history. She is currently writing THE PETROL GIRLS, a novel based on the true events of the 1871 Paris Commune and the life of Louise Michel, one of the most radical and brave women whom history forgot. She has been shortlisted for the prestigious Australian/Vogel Literary Award and has a passion for giving voice to women history has misrepresented. In addition, she is an accomplished screenwriter. She has also worked as an editor of UNESCO human rights publications and founded an organisation making quality reading freely available to children around the world, with over 22 million reads per year. Her most recent charity project is the bilingual Ukrainian Space Hotel, illustrated by the children of Ukraine. She is a dual French/Australia citizen and lives in Paris.
John MacKay's Hebridean roots stretch back beyond written records. His four bestselling novels, The Road Dance, Heartland, Last of the Line and Home, all draw on that heritage. A 2022 movie adaptation of THE ROAD DANCE, starring Hermione Corfield, Mark Gatiss and Will Fletcher, won the prestigious Audience Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. 'Powerful, shocking, heart-breaking.' Daily Mail. 'Breathtaking.' The Film Magazine. John is also co-anchor of STV's News at Six, Scotland's most popular news and current affairs programme. He lives in Glasgow.
Jeff Hopkin Williams (Father Jeff) is a much-loved parish priest in London. His adopted dogs even more so. We were entering uncharted waters with the pandemic and Father Jeff’s weekly emails and hand-delivered letters to the community provided a constant source of companionship and comfort, as well as documenting an unprecedented moment in time. His emails and letters were heartfelt, wide-open and full of poetic words and stories that had no agenda - political, religious or otherwise. Without intending to, Father Jeff built a new community inspired by religion, but not dictated by it. His letters are currently being curated into an anthology entitled ANATOMY OF SHADOWS. He lives in Twickenham.
Ally Hensley is a writer, speaker, and global ambassador in women’s health and happiness. Ally has written for leading publications on mental health, infertility, body positivity, and has become a regular media interviewee and speaker on how to transform trauma into triumph. Ally works to reduce the stigma surrounding sexual (mental) health and prompts conversations that matter. Ally co-founded Global MRKH, the first international consortium for MRKH organisations and is a Board Member of UK-based charity, MRKH Connect. Her video When Will I Feel Like a Woman? went viral and was viewed 429,000 times in 3 weeks. Her podcast Stigma Shakers is coming soon.
Meili Huang is a novelist whose writing touches on heartbreak, loneliness and feeling out of place. She creates off-kilter characters with warmth and empathy. Meili’s writing is emotionally observant and deadpan and has been described as having a Japanese-style literary sensibility with the poignancy of Banana Yoshimoto and the offbeat vibe of David Sedaris. Meili works as an in-house lawyer at an art museum and plays cello in an orchestra. Having lived in the US and UK (studying English Literature at both Yale and University College London and Law at Cambridge) and currently Singapore, she is something of a global citizen. She is also a graduate of Faber Academy. Her first novel ALMOST, AT TIMES, THE FOOL is near completion and introduces us to Ophelia (a sweet, introverted taxidermy conservator) and her best friend Santiago (a taxidermied hippopotamus).