Derek Beaven lives in Berkshire, England. He is also the author of five novels. His first, NEWTON'S NIECE (1994) was shortlisted for the Writers' Guild Best Novel Prize and won a Commonwealth Prize. His second, ACTS OF MUTINY (1998) was shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Prize. His third, IF THE INVADER COMES (2001) was long-listed for the Booker Prize.