TINA SUNEYNA HARPER
Tina Suneyna Harper (her middle name was given by an Arab oil mogul grateful to her father for a favour – or something similar to, but probably much less interesting than that) was born in Ascot, Surrey, oh yes darling. She briefly lived in Columbia and once claimed her appendix scar came from some kind of drug deal gone wrong. She moved to Devon in her teens, and first met Gill at school. They were re-united a few years after by mutual friends and a love of books. A psychology degree from Bristol UWE and several admin jobs (including one in the infectious diseases dept.) later she is following her dreams and studying to be a speech therapist. She loves olives and red wine, and hates custard. The Mighty Book was her idea.
ABIGAIL KATE MARLOW
Abigail Kate Marlow was born in Northampton, and went to school in Somerset before coming to the School of Art (RIP) in Exeter where she earned her degree in illustration. She has been described as a “borg” by close friends because of her apparently cold and cynical attitude, but has been caught in tears when watching Billy Elliot, ER and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. She is obsessed by Harry Potter, and disturbingly attracted to Daniel Radcliffe. She met Gill working at Waterstone’s Roman Gate in Exeter, and designed a voucher card which was used across the company. She is currently pursuing a career in teaching, just call her “Miss Marlow”. She loves red wine, quite likes custard and hates olives.
GILLIAN MARY HOPKINS
Gillian Mary Hopkins is a Devon maid, barn and bred, and is proud to have made the move to the Big City of Exeter after living 3 miles from the nearest shop or pub for 20 years. After several years of Sylvia Plath, Irvine Welsh and Iain Banks she re-discovered children’s literature at the age of seventeen and has been looking backwards ever since. She wrote her undergraduate dissertation on transgender themes in children’s literature (listen to episode 3 for more) and also has an MA in Children’s Literature. She works at Waterstone’s, although is currently on maternity leave after the birth of Charlie in October 08. When she isn’t reading, writing her Mighty Book blog or looking after Charlie you will probably find her asleep, but if not she might be down the rifle club pursuing her other hobby. She loves custard, quite likes red wine and hates olives.