Who wrote it?

Elen is a writer who lives in Bristol with her husband and dog, Biff. Before Biff arrived she had an imaginary dog called Augustus Snags.

She writes her books at the kitchen table with Biff sitting underneath. Sometimes she works at a cinema selling tickets for arty films.

She has always liked to read books. When she was a child she would write sequels to some of her favourite books because she couldn't bear to say goodbye to the characters. Eventually, she started inventing characters of her own.

What's it about?

'Those McIntyres are nothing but trouble!' When the McIntyre family moves in next door, Eva is intrigued - it is the first interesting thing to happen for ages. But her ever protective Dad - even more protective since Eva's mum died - does not agree. And the McIntyres are certainly noisy! But Eva is curious about Jamie, who she often sees on the roof of his garden shed, escaping the family chaos. Then Eva gets to know Jamie a bit better. And when he is accused of vandalising the local park, Eva is sure he didn't do it. It is up to Eva to stick up for him - but then Jamie disappears. Eva is now in a race against time, which snowballs into a helter-skelter race with a 'borrowed' ice cream van, lots of irate keep-fit enthusiasts and lashings of ice-cream!

Fact File

Before becoming a writer Elen was an archaeologist, a nurse, a theatre usher, and a museum security guard. The ideas for her stories come from these experiences. Her favourite stories are ones where very ordinary people do very extraordinary things. So, these are the kind of stories she set out to write; real life, but with the promise of adventure.

Her other books include How Kirsty Stole the Elephant, How Ali Ferguson Saved Houdini, Eiffel Tower and The Mystery of Wickworth Manor.

Two of her favourite writers are Hilary McKay and Frank Cottrell Boyce.

You can contact Elen on Twitter as @ElenCaldecott.

Who wrote it?

Rachel Campbell-Johnston has always had a fascination with animals, and when she was growing up in Worcestershire had a goose that would walk her home from school, and a blue tit that would sit on her shoulder.

She has worked as a shepherd, traveled the across the globe, and has been to Africa numerous times. The diaries she kept whilst she was there helped her get all the details right in The Child's Elephant.

What's it about?

When a baby elephant is left orphaned on the African savannah, Bat, a young herdsboy, takes her home and cares for her. But Bat's grandmother knows that Meya cannot stay with them forever - the call of the wild will always be sounding in her soul.

And there are rumours borne on the wind; frightening stories of kidnapping and suffering and war. Bat and his closest friend, Muka, are catapulted into a new life of unimaginable terror. Now memories of their village world feel so far away. Will the bond between elephant and child remain strong enough to save them?

Fact File

Even with all her globe-trotting, Rachel found the time to study at Edinburgh University, and has a PhD in British Poetry. And when she's not writing books, she writes for The Times newspaper. She lives in the country with her family and an assortment of animals.

For more information about Rachel visit her website: http://rachelcampbelljohnston.com/.

Who wrote it?

Emily Diamand grew up in a small town in rural Oxfordshire. She studied Environmental Science at university.

Emily won the very first Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition in 2008 with her debut novel Flood Child (formerly published as Reavers' Ransom). The book was also shortlisted for the Branford Boase award and the Booktrust Children’s Book of the Year.

Before finding success as an author Emily had a number of different jobs including environmental campaigner, organic farmer, surveyor of trees, brussels sprouts picker and pond digger. Emily lives in Yorkshire.

What's it about?

Isis, the daughter of a charlatan psychic, can see ghosts - including that of her dead little sister, Angel. Gray is the son of a UFO-chasing conspiracy theorist. The two teenagers are forced together when their parents start dating. After a reluctant start, a friendship develops and Isis confesses her secret ability to Gray. But when Isis' mum is inducted into an elite psychic society, run by charismatic Philip Syndal, Isis discovers there are sinister intentions beneath Philip's charm. She and Gray find themselves in grave danger and Isis is forced to use her considerable powers to save them both.

Fact File

When she was a child, Emily dreamed about having adventures in outer space. She says:

Ways to See a Ghost isn't just about ghosts - there are UFOs in there too. When I was a child, I spent a lot of time staring up at the stars, wishing a space ship would come down and whisk me away. I desperately wanted to meet ET, Captain Kirk or Doctor Who. Sadly, my life didn't turn out that way (at least, not yet) so I've given the opportunity to my characters instead."

For more information about Emily visit her website: www.emilydiamand.com.

Who wrote it?

Christopher William Hill was born in Truro, in Cornwall - a little jaundiced, but that was to be expected in the grim days of the 1970s. His mother was a former nurse, so Christopher grew up with a copy of Black's Medical Dictionary to hand, which was ideal reading matter for an enthusiastic hypochondriac. He liked acting and putting on silly voices, and collecting ancient relics which he gathered in a large walk-in wardrobe that called his 'museum'.

What's it about?

Meet Osbert Brinkhoff, the unlikeliest of avengers. His is a tale of dark delights and ghastly goings-on, of injustice and revenge. The villains are vicious. The settings are sinister. And good does not always prevail.

If you prefer cleavers to kittens and fiends to fairies... then welcome to the GRUESOMELY FUNNY Tales from Schwartzgarten.

Osbert the Avenger is the first in a thrilling series of four books, all set in the fictional city of Schwartzgarten.

Fact File

Christopher loves walking, ocean liners, airships, Victoriana and cake shops.

You can visit Christopher's website at www.christopherwilliamhill.com or follow him on Twitter (@cwhillauthor).

Who wrote it?

Rob Lloyd Jones was born in San Francisco but moved to England when he was young. He studied Ancient History and Archaeology at university, and by the end of university he knew he wanted to write stories.

He got a job as a writer for Usborne Publishing and has since written over 30 books on subjects such as Ancient Egypt, the crusades and the history of London.

What's it about?

London, 1841. A boy covered in hair, raised as a monster, condemned to life in a travelling freak show. A boy with an extraordinary power of observation and detection. A boy accused of murder; on the run; hungry for the truth…

Behold the savage spectacle of Wild Boy! Ladies and Gentlemen, take your seats. The show is about to begin...

Fact File

Rob has never learnt to ride a motor bike

His favourite books are Great Expectations by Charles Dickens and Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce.

For more information about Rob Lloyd Jones visit his website: http://www.roblloydjones.com.