Martha Ashwell was born in Manchester and now lives in Heaton Mersey, Stockport. Her first book, a memoir, ‘Celia’s Secret: A Journey towards Reconciliation’, was published in 2015. She has written extensively on subjects such as war, migration and peace. Her short story: ‘Sights and Sounds’ was included in the anthology: ‘Something About Home: New Writing on Migration and Belonging’, published in 2017. Her prize-winning poem ‘The Theatre of War’ was published in the Buzzin Bards: A Manchester Poetry Anthology in 2019. Martha is a member of the Manchester Irish Writers and South Manchester Writers’ Workshop and has contributed to a number of MIW public performances. ‘The Happening at Bessbrook’, her debut historical novel, was published in March, 2022. She is currently writing a series of children’s stories in collaboration with her daughter, Clare and daughter-in-law Nicola. martha.ashwell@talktalk.net http://marthaashwell.co.uk/