Rebecca Smith teaches creative writing at the University of Southampton, and is the author of three novels: The Bluebird Caf., Happy Birthday and All That and A Bit of Earth as well as a work of non-fiction, Jane Austen's Guide to Modern Life's Dilemmas. Her first novel for children, Shadow Eyes, was shortlisted for the 2012 Kelpies Prize. From 2009-2010 she was the Writer in Residence at Jane Austen's House Museum in Chawton. She lives in Hampshire.