Howard, Mari: - Author Description Mari Howard (a pen name for all her creative writing) writes warm, thoughtful, thought-provoking novels at her home in Oxford, where she lives with her husband, and cat, as creative, funny, and tiresome as their three now-grown children. As a teenager she wrote and performed protest poems, and became interested in the rapid societal change around her. Her ambition was to study art, but at Newcastle University, Mari hung out with art and medical student friends while studying religion, the basis of traditional societies. She later studied social and political science at Oxford's Department for Continuing Education, developing interests in women's social issues, the impact of the contraceptive pill, IVF, and equality. Her first published pieces were non-fiction for the 'liberal' faith-based social commentary magazine Third Way, and some short stories. Her novels in the 'Mullins FamilySaga series, Baby, Baby, and The Labyrinth Year draw on continuing interest in genetic research, cultural differences, acceptance, and inclusion. Mari has appeared at Hawkesbury Upton Literature Festival (2015, 2016), and twice on Oxfordshire Live reading from her novels and discussing writing along with author Debbie Young. She has exhibited paintings at Oxford Art Weeks. Find out more at www.hodgepublishing.com and https: //marihowardauthor.wordpress.com/Lawston, Rachel: - Rachel Lawston is a young, widely experienced, book designer, who graduated from the University of the Creative Arts and has worked since in many genres and with a diversity of authors including fiction, non-fiction, and children's books. Rachel includes developing branding and marketing materials in addition to interior and cover design for her clients' books.
