Kieran Larwood was born in Kenya. He moved to the UK when he was two and lived in various places before settling on the Isle of Wight, where he can still be found: exploring rockpools, climbing trees and writing or drawing! He has done a wide range of jobs, including being an archery instructor and working the night shift in a cake factory (which was nowhere near as much fun as it sounds). He taught in a primary school for fifteen years before becoming a full-time author (and sometimes illustrator) of a series of novels that link across the Five Realms of Lanica. Kieran has won the Blue Peter Best Story and the Prix Sorcières. He is inspired by a life-long love of fantasy stories, which all began when - as a young boy - he picked up a copy of The Hobbit and saw the map inside. It just goes to show - you never know where opening a book will lead . . .