Josie Jaffrey (she/her) writes about lost worlds, dystopian societies and morally-ambiguous monsters (vampires are her favourite). Her queer vampire detective novel May Day won the Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award 2021. She is the founding editor of fantasy magazine Indie Bites and writer of the urban fantasy podcast Jack Valentine, Vampire Detective.

Nicholas House is an independent author writing primarily Science Fiction and Paranormal Thrillers but is happy to turn his hand to whatever genre takes his interest.

He was born in Southern England but moved to North Wales at a young age and took up writing early. Inspired by the works of Jules Verne, Greek mythology and the Welsh valleys, he wrote about wizards and fantasy whilst dabbling in some poetry.

Encouraged by the mountains he grew up surrounded by, Nicholas would embrace his love of the outdoors and study Geoscience at University. Afforded the chance to travel during his studies, Nicholas found a renewed inspiration in the varied cultures and landscapes he would encounter.

After his studies, he would move to Oxfordshire with his wife and son, using his knowledge of Geology and an interest in space to write articles for an astronomy magazine and produce scripted videos for his personal YouTube channel.

GILLES OF BEC AND THE CAGE FULL OF BIRDS by T D OWEN

An historical novel and mystery set in 12th century Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

The Cage Full of Birds is story of real people who lived and struggled in The Anarchy of twelfth century England; a stirring tale of self-discovery, the triumph of hope over doubt and, ultimately, of good over evil.

REVIEWS

‘I have been devouring A Cage Full of Birds! I love it, truly! The characters are so well drawn,
and Gilles shines through like a Candide.’

‘Such detail, characters, description, pace… brilliantly done.’

‘What a dance you’ve done there, so good. You made the landscape and period integral
to the reading experience, not just the characters and plot.’

‘The descriptive passages are very lyrical and beautifully evocative of their local settings.’

‘Great suspense building and humour too. I have laughed out loud at many places.’

TIM OWEN is an historian, author, public speaker, teacher and battlefield tour guide with a flair for the dramatic.

Marian Eastwood is the founder of the Oxford Poetry Circle in Oxford, UK and hosts monthly poetry and open mic events with featured poets.

Her debut poetry collection. Secret Codes was published last June 2025.

She served as a Labour Attaché for the Philippine Mission to the United Nations and other International Orgsnisations for seven years in Geneva, Switzerland after being the Welfare Officer for the Philippine Consulate in Milan Italy.

She founded the Boracay Paraw Regatta and International Arts Festival and managed it for seven years from 1992-1998, on Boracay Island in the Philippines.

I am a children’s author, age group 8-12. I am delighted to be returning to the Oxford Indie Book Fair and look forward to meeting you.

For the past five years I have had the pleasure to write stories about an astonishing place. This place, at the very edge of the world, is the mysterious, undiscovered Island of Animaux. Full of the strangest creatures having crazy, mad, funny adventures.

I would love to introduce you to the principal characters: Aubrey the Turkey; Clifford Platypus; and Walli Hog. They’re firm friends, although Clifford and Walli always need to keep an eye on the infamous Aubrey, as he plans his next dastardly adventure.

The series contains six books, each with five separate tales:
• The Island of Animaux
• Monsieur Le Chef
• A Surprise Party
• Coffee and Ice Cream
• The Other Side
• Who’s There?

I think you will really enjoy the stories. And don’t be afraid to laugh, particularly at Aubrey’s expense. But please, please, please – remember to keep the latest location of the island top secret!

Sarah Lustig is the author of the Westminster Mysteries series, which follow the adventures of Theo Duncan, the Prime Minister’s son, as he tries to solve mysteries that have baffled Parliament.

The first book in the series, Mystery in the Palace of Westminster, was awarded Highly Commended in the Selfies Children’s Book Award 2023 and it is a Wishing Shelf Book Awards finalist. The second book in the series, Body in the Thames, was also shortlisted for the Selfies Book Awards, 2025. The series finale, Murder at Speaker’s House, published in September 2026.

Sarah been a book editor for over 15 years and lives in Buckinghamshire, where she spends her time reading, writing and pottering on her balcony garden.