Diana Wynne Jones

Diana Wynne Jones was a highly acclaimed British author, born in London in 1934. She was known for her fantasy novels aimed at both children and adults. Her life was marked by frequent relocations due to her family's response to World War II. After spending her early years in London, she was evacuated to Wales and then moved multiple times before settling in Thaxted, Essex in 1943. This nomadic childhood significantly influenced her writing, providing a rich background for her imaginative works.

Jones's love for fantasy was evident from an early age, inspired by classics such as Malory’s Morte D’Arthur, The Arabian Nights, and Epics and Romances of the Middle Ages. Her passion for myth and legend was further ignited during her time at St. Anne's College, Oxford, where she attended lectures by J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Despite her parents' lack of support, she wrote her first novel at the age of twelve. After facing rejections for several years, her first book, 'Changeover', was published in 1970.

Throughout her career, Jones received numerous awards, including the Guardian Prize, Mythopoeic Award, and the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement. She was often referred to as the 'Queen of the Fantastic'. Her notable works include the Chrestomanci and Dalemark Quartet series. Her books are characterized by magic, multiple universes, witches, and wizards, all presented with an effervescent sense of humor.

Jones's writing was not limited to fantasy. She also penned farces, social observations, and witty parodies of literary forms. Her works, such as 'The Tough Guide To Fantasyland', 'Dark Lord of Derkholm', and 'Year of the Griffin', provide a merciless critique of formulaic sword-and-sorcery epics. Her books have been translated into more than twenty languages and have earned a place on countless best-of-the-year lists.