Authors
Rose James is an author and freelance writer from Shropshire. She has been shortlisted in the Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition in 2014. She completed her degree in English Language and Literature with the Open University in 2017, and is currently studying for an MA in Creative Writing with Lancaster University.
Olivia Horrox studied English Literature and Creative Writing at Bath Spa University, and wrote her dissertation on The Great Gatsby which has inspired her own writing. Olivia now works as a senior marketing & PR manager at Simon & Schuster Children’s Books.
Represented by Thérèse Coen.
Alex English grew up in Hampshire with her head in the clouds and her nose in a book, secretly hoping to find Narnia every time she opened a wardrobe. After a maths degree and a few years wrangling spreadsheets, she decided to revisit her first love – children’s books. Alex graduated with distinction from the MA Writing for Young People at BSU, and has since released a duology for 9–12-year-olds. Sky Pirates: Echo Quickthorn and the Great Beyond was published in the UK in 2020, and Sky Pirates: The Dragon’s Gold followed in 2021. Alex and currently lives with her family in Reigate.
Represented by Thérèse Coen.
Mark Eccleston studied medicine before working as a journalist, mostly at the BBC, then as a TV presenter and film critic. Mark Eccleston is now a full-time screenwriter. His first script won the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writers Forum and was optioned by the producer Camille Gatin (The Girl with all the Gifts, 2016).
Most recently, Mark Eccleston has turned to writing crime fiction, with a trilogy following the investigations of an art restorer named Astrid Swift. The protagonist seems to become entwined in cases of corruption wherever she goes; whether in the mafia-like politics of our cultural heritage trusts (The Trust, 2022), the dark secrets of a dead billionaire’s nautical art collection (Death on the Isle, 2022), or in the trolling threats against the expats living on the Costa del Sol (Death Comes to the Cost Del Sol, 2023).
Represented by Thérèse Coen.
Joshua Cunningham is a writer and photographer specialising in travel, sport and adventure.
Bypassing university in a bid to forge a career as a professional racing cyclist on the roads of Europe, Josh fell into writing after becoming increasingly involved with the media during his sporting career, and after retiring from full-time racing in 2013 he joined the Cyclist Magazine editorial team at Dennis Publishing.
In periods spent as a freelancer Josh has contributed to a selection of other titles, including Men’s Fitness, Coach and Avaunt. He has conducted interviews with figures ranging from Olympic champions like Sir Bradley Wiggins to UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson, as well as covering events such as the Tour de France and writing travel-based features on destinations worldwide. His photography has appeared in print and online for both sport and travel magazines.
His first book, Escape by Bike, published by Thames & Hudson, comes after a 21,000km cycling expedition from London to Hong Kong that Josh undertook in 2015. The book is part travelogue and part practical advice guide to adventure cycling and cycle touring, using his photographs from the journey and the experiences gained from years of travel, adventure and riding bikes.
Represented by Thérèse Coen.
Carolyn Ward studied for an English degree in Wolverhampton before moving to Manchester, where she rode horses around Manchester City’s training ground and nearly fell in the river. Now settled in South Staffordshire and mum to three, she writes middle grade horror. In her spare time she enjoys shopping for haunted antiques and unusual tarot cards.
Represented by Thérèse Coen.
CE Bernard is a novelist of fantasy fiction. She is the founder of the Novel Writing Workshop at the University of Bonn and lectures in Creative Writing at the University of Exeter. Her novels have been nominated for the RPC Fantasy Award and Lovelybooks Reader Award. Her short stories have won the prizes of the Young Academies of Europe and the Ruhrfestspiele Recklinghausen.
She has lived in Canada, the United States, Australia, and Paris and is now based in Devon. In her spare time, she is mostly out hiking, inside baking, or in Oxenfurt, saving the world with Geralt of Rivia.
Represented by Thérèse Coen.
Alex Bell studied Law at university and signed her first book deal at nineteen. Since then, she has written over twenty books for both adults and young people, including novels that were selected for the Zoella book club, Blue Peter book club and Radio 2. She works for a legal advice charity and lives in Hampshire with her husband, sons and Sphynx cats. When not working, she enjoys Thin Man Martinis, vegetarian food and any opportunity to ride on an old-world train.
Represented by Thérèse Coen. Alex Bell writes adults fantasy fiction as Alexandra Bell.
Sarah Sands is a journalist and author. A former editor of the London Evening Standard, she was editor of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 from 2017 to September 2020. Her first book The Interior Silence was published to wide acclaim in 2021.
Christopher Bouix was born in 1982. Alongside his books on ancient Greek and Roman history, published by Les Belles Lettres, he is the author of several children’s and YA books, including The Seven Lives of Leo Belami, which was adapted by Netflix in 2022, a series produced by Empreinte Digitale. His latest novel, A lie will suffice, is currently in development for a feature film.