John L. Williams was born, lives, and works in his hometown of Cardiff, Wales. He writes novels, short stories and screenplays set in a Cardiff that is changing fast. He has also published a number of non-fiction titles, including biographies of Black Power leader Michael X, Shirley Bassey, and most recently C.L.R. James. He currently writes for the Mail on Sunday and the Independent and is co-organiser of the Laugharne Festival. John has also worked for the NME and The Sunday Times, and has been a contributing editor of GQ magazine.