Justin Richards is not your average author, as well as being a talented story writer Justin has been a technical writer, founded and edited a media journal, and contributed articles to many mainstream magazines.

Somehow, Justin has found the time to become a family man, living with his wife and two children in Warwick. Justin loves writing Science Fiction books with ‘The Invisible Detective’ being his first series. As well as writing, Justin has worked closely with the BBC as the creative director of the very successful ‘Doctor Who’ children’s books. His Doctor Who novel ‘The Burning’ was placed sixth in the Top 10 of SFX magazine’s ‘Best SF/Fantasy novelisation or TV tie-in novel’ category of 2000. Justin’s most recent novel is ‘The Parliament of Blood’ which brings us vampires, mysteries and forgotten legends- Something that all the family can enjoy.

http://www.justinrichards.co.uk/home.html

http://www.scifan.com/writers/rr/RichardsJustin.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Richards

Alexander started his life in Norwich, and ever since he was a child has wanted to write. As a child he would spend his time writing short stories and creating highly creative, complex characters. Once an adult Alexander and his brother co-wrote ‘The Inventors’ which was shortlisted for the 2005 ‘Wow factor award’. Alexander’s most recent series is called ‘The Furnace’ and has had one of the five books already published, with the second being published this year. The first book of the series achieved phenomenal reviews and has been written in multiple languages for people all over the world to enjoy.

Alexander is the founder and director of the publishing company ‘Egg Box Publishing’ (Which was funded by his student loan!) and has also created the editorial company ‘Box of Words’. Alexander has now decided to take a step back from these companies, however, he is the co-owner of ‘Fear driven Films’, a production company producing its first film ‘Stagnant’ this year. As well as this Alexander is still writing and is currently working on a book full of Horror and Action suitable for both children and young adults.

http://www.alexandergordonsmith.com/

http://us.macmillan.com/author/alexandergordonsmith

Guy started life with the ambition of becoming a superhero, even owning his own Spiderman costume. Since then he has outgrown his costume and is now the successful author of the ‘Dinkin Dings’ and ‘Gormy Ruckles’ series’. Guy has recently won the ‘2010 Blue Peter Book Award – most fun with pictures’ for his book ‘Dinkin dings and the Frightening things’. It hasn’t always been easy for the young writer however, with him describing the high point of his career as playing a ‘happy cappuccino’ in a play.

Guy currently lives in London with his wife and is planning to appear at several other prestigious festivals this summer such as the ‘Edinburgh International Book Festival’.
www.guybass.com
www.amazon.co.uk

Best known for her multi-award winning creation Angelina Ballerina, Katharine Holabird (along with illustrator Helen Craig) is also the author of books about a little boy called Alexander and his many entertaining adventures. Inspired by her own two daughter’s love of dancing, Angelina Ballerina has in turn motivated many youngsters to start ballet. One book has been adapted and performed by the English National Ballet, who are also providing a workshop at Wychwood.

http://www.katharineholabird.com/

John Dougherty is not only the author of books such as the hilarious Zeus stories, Niteracy Hour, the tales of Monster Investigator Jack Slater, and Bansi O’Hara and the Bloodline Prophecy; he’s also a poet and songwriter, and has been described as “One of the very best authors…for both schools and festival events”. John used to be a teacher in London, but as soon as his first book - Zeus on the Loose, shortlisted for the prestigious Branford Boase award for an outstanding first novel for children - was published, he ran away to the Cotswolds and has been living in Stroud ever since, writing more books in a shed in his back garden.

“A natural entertainer, with a guitar-strumming comedy routine that would go down well on kids’ TV” (Stroud News & Journal), John will be bringing not only stories but songs, poetry and fun to the stage at Wychwood. A truly family-friendly performance that kids and parents alike will enjoy. Laughter guaranteed!

http://www.visitingauthor.com

Philip Ardagh is the award-winning author of the Eddie Dickens Adventures, Unlikely Exploits and Grubtown Tales, currently available in over 30 languages. He wrote BBC Radio’s first truly interactive radio drama, collaborated with Sir Paul McCartney on his first children’s book and is a ‘regularly irregular’ reviewer of children’s books for the Guardian.

Married with a son, he divides his time between Tunbridge Wells and Grubtown, where he cultivates his impressive beard.

http://www.philipardagh.com

Ian Whybrow was first published as a children’s writer in 1989. Over a hundred books and lots of prizes later, he’s still at it.  He writes for children at every level through primary school. Older kids love his Sniff stories (Hodder); the  Little Wolf  books (Harper Collins) are classics for 7-9s; beginner- readers love the “Books for Boys” series (Hodder) and he’s written dozens of well-known picture books for 2-6 year-olds  He’s proud to have been included in the top ten most-borrowed writers in British libraries.

Last year, to mark the tenth anniversary of Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs (Puffin) and to encourage parents to read with their kids, the best part of a million ‘Harry’ books were given free to school-starters across the UK.

http://www.ianwhybrow.com

Cheltenham based Sally Grindley has always been involved with children’s literature, first as editor and then as an award winning author. Her 2004 novel Spilled Water won the Smarties Book Prize Gold Award and was considered for the Carnegie Medal.

Sally’s latest novel Bitter Chocolate is out in June 2010. Bitter Chocolate is a story of friendship and survival, set in the cocoa plantations of West Africa.

http://www.sallygrindley.co.uk

Linda Chapman has written over 100 books, but is best known for the books My Secret Unicorn, Stardust, Skating School, and Not Quite a Mermaid.

Linda originally trained to be a teacher and then worked in the theatre as a stage manager before becoming an author.

http://www.lindachapmanauthor.co.uk