Susan Hill

Susan Hill is a highly accomplished English author, best known for her works in the genres of gothic fiction, fantasy novels, crime fiction, and children's books. She is the author of the popular Simon Serrailler series. Hill developed an interest in literature and theatre during her time at Scarborough Convent School. Her exceptional writing skills have earned her numerous awards, including the Somerset Maugham Award for "I'm the King of the Castle" in 1971, the Whitbread Novel Award for "The Bird of Night" in 1972, and the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize for "The Albatross" in the same year.

Hill was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, in 1942 and attended Scarborough Convent School, where her passion for literature and theatre began. She later moved to Coventry due to her father's job transfer and completed her education at Barr's Hill school for girls. After graduating with an English degree from King's College London, she founded her own publishing house, Long Barn Books, which publishes at least one fictional book per year. Hill is also a devoted Anglican and has been married to Stanley Wells, a Shakespeare scholar, since 1975. They have two daughters, Jessica Ruston and Clemency.

Hill has had a prolific writing career, publishing her first novel, "The Enclosure," while still in university. She has written over fifty works, including novels, autobiographical works, short story collections, and crime novels. Some of her notable works include "Strange Meeting," "I'm the King of the Castle," "In the Springtime of the Year," and "The Mist in the Mirror." Her play, "The Woman in Black," has been one of the longest-running productions in London's West End. In 2020, Hill was awarded a damehood (DBE) for her services to literature. She currently resides in North Norfolk.