Sarah Waters

Sarah Waters is a highly acclaimed British novelist, known for her historical fiction novels. She was born on July 21, 1966, in Neyland, Pembrokeshire, and grew up in a family with her father Ron, mother Mary, and sister. Waters is best known for her unique lesbian protagonists, which she features in her novels such as "Fingersmith" and "Tipping the Velvet." In addition to her writing, Waters is also a scholar with a PhD in English Literature.

Before turning to fiction, Waters pursued an academic career, earning degrees in English literature and teaching at the Open University. She earned her doctorate and began working on her first novel, "Tipping the Velvet," immediately after completing her thesis. Waters's academic background and her experience of writing her doctoral thesis played a significant role in shaping her as a writer.

Sarah Waters has won numerous literary awards for her work, including the Betty Trask Award, Somerset Maugham Award, Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award, South Bank Show Award for Literature, CWA Historical Dagger, and the Waterstones Author of the Year Award. Several of her novels have been adapted for BBC and ITV. She has been shortlisted for both the Man Booker and Orange Prizes and is considered one of the Best of Young British Novelists 2003 by Granta. Waters's writing has gained her a reputation as a bestselling author, and she continues to reside in London.