Hannah MacFarlane

* 'Dark Chapters: Babylon' is shortlisted for the Ultimate Christian Library Book Award, 2012. Visit www.christianbookawards.org to cast your vote *

Hannah believes life is most fun when you are aspiring to something, working hard to achieve it and being challenged along the way, which is why she loves writing. She also knows that the best stories can teach you things about yourself it would take you a lifetime to learn on your own; so books, films and theatre are really important to her.

Hannah believes it doesn't only matter that children read, but that it also matters what they read. She doesn't think anyone should have to choose between great values and fantastic writing - so tries hard to provide both. When she's not immersed in fiction, Hannah lives in Ipswich, England with her husband and two daughters, appreciating life in the real world.

Hannah won the Scripture Union Fiction Prize in 2007 with her first novel, 'Fire by Night'.