Gary Crew has an outstanding reputation as a writer of Young Adult fiction and innovative picture books. His numerous prizes and awards include CBC Book of the Year: Older Readers for STRANGE OBJECTS and ANGEL'S GATE (1991 and 1994) which also received widespread international recognition; CBC Honour Book for MEMORIAL (2000), CBC Picture Book of the Year for FIRST LIGHT (1994); CBC Picture Book of the Year for THE WATERTOWER (1995); THE LOST DIAMONDS OF KILLIECRANKIE was a notable book in 1996. He is also the author of THE VIEWER and MAMA'S BABIES, which were CBC Notable Books for 1998 and 1999 respectively. Gary is editor of the AFTER DARK series and author of the picture books BRIGHT STAR, TROY THOMPSON'S EXCELLENT POETRY BOOK, TROY THOMPSON'S RADICAL PROSE FOLIO, LEO THE LION TAMER, VALLEY OF BONES and THE RAINBOW. Other Lothian YA Fiction titles are DEAR VENNY, DEAR SAFFRON with Libby Hathorn, EDWARD BRITTON with Philip Neilsen and Gothic Hopsital. He has also written the charming historical QUETTA, illustrated by Bruce Whatley, which Lothian released in February 2002. Gary lives in Maleny, Queensland. Melbourne artist Mark Wilson has illustrated a number of educational and trade children s books, including the picture book PENGUIN SHORE by Tim O Brien. His previous Lothian Books are THE WOMBAT KING, THE VALLEY OF THE BONES, and THE LIE IN THE AFTER DARK series, as well as THE CASTAWAYS OF THE CHARLES EATON, which will be released in September 2002. Mark lives in Frankston, Victoria.