Lissa Evans still remembers writing her first joke, aged 7 (it involved a hippo). She never lost her interest in funny lines, and, following a medical degree, she changed careers to become a comedy producer for radio and TV. Her children's novels have been shortlisted for the Costa Children's Book Award, Carnegie Medal, and Branford Boase Award. Her books for adults include Their Finest Hour and a Half, which was longlisted for the Baileys Prize and made into a recent film (Their Finest, starring Bill Nighy); Old Baggage and V for Victory.