C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably the most influential Christian writer of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954 when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance English at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. His major contributions in literary criticism, children's literature, fantasy literature and popular theology brought him international renown and acclaim. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include The Chronicles of Narnia, Out of the Silent Planet, The Four Loves, The Screwtape Letters and Mere Christianity.
Jenna Bailey was born in Alberta, Canada, and now lives in Brighton. She studied History at Queen's University in Ontario, Canada, and took her Masters in Life History at the University of Sussex. Can Any Mother Help Me? was her first publication.
Kate Saunders (1960 - 2023) began her career as a professional actor but moved into journalism following the publication of her first novel, The Prodigal Father, in 1986, for which she won the Betty Trask Award. Since then, Kate has written many books for adults and children. Saunders won the Costa Children's Book Award for Five Children on the Western Front, a highly acclaimed contribution to the classic fantasy series by E. Nesbit. Kate was twice shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal with Five Children on the Western Front and The Land of Neverendings. Kate's other novels include Storm in the Citadel, Catholics and Sex (co-authored with Peter Stanford), Wild Young Bohemians, Beswitched, The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop, Magicalamity and many more.
Kate wrote and reviewed for newspapers and magazines including
The Sunday Times, Sunday Express, Daily Telegraph and
Cosmopolitan. She was also a regular contributor to radio and television, including appearances on BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour and Start the Week. She was a guest on the first episode of the long-running news quiz programme, Have I Got News For You, and her acting work includes an appearance in Only Fools and Horses. The BBC children's series Belfry Witches was based on Kate's children's books about two mischief-making witches. Kate lived in London with her family. Her final children's book,
A Drop of Golden Sun, edited in the months before she died, will be published by Faber Children's in March 2024.
Maureen Freely is an author, translator and teacher. She has written seven novels - including Sailing Through Byzantium, Enlightenment and The Other Rebecca. Also well known as a translator of the Turkish Nobel Laureate Orhan Pamuk, she has brought into English several classics and works by Turkey's rising literary stars. For many years she worked as a journalist in London, writing about literature, social justice, and human rights. As chair of the Translator's Association and more recently as President and Chair of English PEN, she has campaigned for writers and freedom of expression internationally. She teaches at the University of Warwick.
