Mari Howard writes warm, thoughtful, thought-provoking novels at her home in Oxford, where she lives with her husband, and two cats as creative, funny, and tiresome as her three now-grown children. As a teenager she wrote and performed protest poems, and became interested in the rapid societal change around her. Her ambition was to study art, but at Newcastle University, Mari hung out with art and medical student friends while studying religion, the basis of traditional societies. She later studied social and political science at Oxford's Department for Continuing Education, developing interests in women's social issues, the impact of the contraceptive pill, IVF, and equality.

Her first published pieces were non-fiction for the 'liberal' faith-based social commentary magazine Third Way, and some short stories. Baby, Baby, her debut published novel, draws on continuing interest in genetic research, cultural differences, acceptance, and inclusion.

Mari has appeared at Hawkesbury Upton Literature Festival (2015, 2016), and twice on Oxfordshire Live reading from her work and discussing writing along with author Debbie Young. She has exhibited paintings at Oxford Art Weeks.

Find out more at: www.hodgepublishing.com