Ben Jeapes took up writing in the mistaken belief that it would be quite easy (it isn’t) and save him from having to get a real job (it didn’t). Hence, as well as being the author of several novels and short stories, he is also an experienced editor and technical writer. His ambition is to live to 101 and 8 months, which will see the 1000th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, and the arrival (so family lore has it) of the originator of his surname in Britain – a Danish mercenary fighting for the Normans.

He is English, and as proud of it as you would expect of the descendant of a Dane fighting for a bunch of Norsemen living in France.