Lissa Evans
Lissa Evans still remembers writing her first joke, aged seven (it involved a hippo). She never lost her interest in funny lines, and, following a medical degree, she changed careers to become a comedy producer for radio and TV, where her credits included Father Ted. Eventually, after a decade of running a red pencil through other people’s work, Lissa began to write something of her own.
Her first book for children, Small Change for Stuart, was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and the 2011 Costa Children’s Book Award. Her books for adults include Their Finest Hour and a Half, which was longlisted for the Baileys Prize and made into a recent film (Their Finest, starring Bill Nighy).