Philip Martin is a folklorist, award-winning author of books on cultural traditions, and an indie-press book editor of fiction and nonfiction, especially instructional guides for writers. (A previous edition of this book, The Writer's Guide to Fantasy Literature, sold over 5,000 copies to the book trade.) Previously acquisitions editor for The Writer Books, connected with The Writer magazine, he is currently series editor of an annual anthology on craft and career for writers, The New Writer's Handbook, and directs Great Lakes Literary, a publishing consulting firm in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Lynda Bellingham enjoyed a career spanning 45 years. She was much loved as the warm, open and quick-witted panellist on Loose Women as well as for her appearances on Strictly Come Dancing and Calendar Girls. Her acting career had many highlights, including All Creatures Great and Small: she is still loved and remembered as the long-suffering mum in the Oxo commercials. In 2014 Lynda was awarded the OBE. Lynda died on 20th October 2014.