Jan Fortune was born in Middlesbrough and read theology at Cambridge. She completed a doctorate in feminist theology and has worked as a teacher, priest and charity director. She is the founding editor of Cinnamon Press, led numerous creative writing courses, and mentored writers who have gone on to publication. Her previous publications include non-fiction titles in alternative education and parenting, poetry, and novels, most recently Smiling at Grief in a House in a Forest where Life Grows. She blogs on writing and the writing life.