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Fay Weldon
Fay Weldon (1931 – 2023) overcame hard times and odd jobs as a lone parent, before becoming one of the top advertising copywriters of her generation. She moved into TV drama (writing the pilot episode of the iconic series Upstairs, Downstairs in 1971) then turned to novels – including the Booker-shortlisted Praxis (1978) and the feminist classic The Life and Loves of a She-Devil (1983). Fay was a Professor of Writing at Bath Spa University and was made a CBE for services to literature.
Amanda Eyre Ward
Amanda Eyre Ward was born in New York City, and graduated from Williams College and the University of Montana. Her short stories have been published in various literary reviews and magazines. She is the author of the critically acclaimed and award-winning novel ‘Sleep Towards Heaven’ and ‘How to be Lost’, and was named by the New York Post as one of five Writers to Watch in 2003. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, geologist Tip Meckel.
John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman
John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman served for 26 years with the SAS and was their Chief Survival Instructor. He remains the foremost authority on SAS training techniques for civilians. His knowledge, skills and experience are unrivalled and he is deeply respected in survival circles.
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde was born on the 16th October 1854 and died on the 30th November 1900. He was an Irish playwright, poet, and author of numerous short stories and one novel. Known for his biting wit, he became one of the most successful playwrights of the late Victorian era in London, and one of the greatest celebrities of his day. Several of his plays continue to be widely performed, especially The Importance of Being Earnest.