Shirley Dickson was born and grew up in the seaside town of South Shields. She left school at 15 and can’t remember a time when she didn’t write. She entered her first short story competition in ‘School Friend’ when she was 11. After Shirley retired from auxiliary nursing, she was able to devote her time to writing. After living in various locations, she settled under the big skies of Northumberland and has lived with her husband in the same house for over 40 years. Shirley has three daughters and four grandchildren and likes nothing better than family gatherings.
Joan Walker is a highly experienced actor and voice artist. As well as appearing in more than 500 plays on BBC Radio 3, 4 and World Service, she has voiced a wide range of TV and radio adverts, and is an award winning narrator of audiobooks. She is also the voice of audioguides in some of the greatest art galleries, museums and palaces in the world.