Craig is the author of twelve titles, most published by Penguin-Random House and Franklin Watts (Hachette). A graduate of Bristol University, Craig spent many years writing and reviewing medical-related material before turning his hand to fiction. His debut novel, Resistance, was shortlisted for the Branford-Boase Award. His second, Dogfight, won the Hampshire Book Award and was shortlisted for the Lancashire Book Award. His latest title, Daniel, was shortlisted for the Young Quills Award 2016. As well as having held events in venues across the UK including the British Imperial War Museum, Craig has hosted workshops in creative writing, and in the past has worked with students studying creative writing at undergraduate and post-graduate level at the University of Winchester. A number of Craig’s titles also form part of the ever popular EDGE series published by Franklin Watts. Craig is a Cornerstones core editor.

Interests: Thrillers, mystery, historical (special interest), action & adventure, general literary fiction, for adults and older YA

Matt is an experienced editor working with new writers and established names such as Naomi Alderman, Malorie Blackman, Franck Cottrell-Boyce, Deborah Moggach and Jeanette Winterson. Stories are his passion – helping develop ideas for screen, podcast, nonfiction and novels.

After studying literature at Caius, Cambridge, Matt worked for the RSC and Royal National Theatre before moving into TV/film development, assessing novels for adaptation for C4/ Film 4, as well as running new writer workshops. He was also on the BAFTA panel assessing youth drama. As Development Producer for The Digital Fiction Factory, he helped with multi-media projects from inception to final draft stage. He currently offers consultancy, editing, mentoring and translation services to a range of longform writers, and is ghostwriting a female-led YA superhero novel. Helping develop clear, engaging and inventive stories for broadcast or publication is his goal.

Matt is a Cornerstones core editor.

Interests: commercial fiction, historical fiction, literary non-fiction, magical realism, psychological suspense, reading group fiction, romance, self-help non-fiction, thrillers, YA.

Gary has been writing science fiction professionally for over a decade, including the bestselling Stealing Light that gave birth to several sequels. He’s been editing for nearly as long, and has run workshops and taught classes focused on science fiction as well as acting as a publisher under the title Brain in a Jar Books. Gary is a Cornerstones core editor.

Interests: science fiction, thrillers, crime, fantasy, horror

Laura has published six novels for adults (two under a pseudonym). Her contemporary fiction is published by Headline Accent. These novels are Crossing the Line, Skin Deep, Redemption Song and The Family Line. Alongside writing, she runs workshops on craft and has spoken at literary events nationwide. She has a passion for fashion and anything which glitters. In another life, she’d make a good magpie. She has been an editor and mentor for Cornerstones since 2011. Laura is a Cornerstones core editor.

Interests: women's fiction, romance, psychological thrillers, historical

Following a degree in creative arts, Rebecca worked in the music industry before moving into TV and film production on music videos, commercials and documentaries. She later completed the Creative Writing Certificate at Sussex University. The Liar’s Chair was published by Mantle/Pan Macmillan in 2015 and was chosen for both the Loose Women and Poppy Loves book clubs. Her second psychological thriller, The Hidden Grils, was released in 2020 and was longlisted for the Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger award. She is currently working on a third novel. Rebecca has taught for Guardian Masterclasses, the Creative Writing Programme and Brighton and Hove YMCA. As well as novels, Rebecca writes short stories and her articles have appeared in The Independent, Psychologies and Buzzfeed amongst others. She has spoken at events nationwide including Bloody Scotland, CrimeFest and the Isle of Wight Literary Festival.

Interests: contemporary fiction, both commercial and literary, plus thrillers and crime

Clare was born in Tooting, south London in 1987. Her first novel was published by Viking, Penguin in 2017, followed shortly by her first collection of short fiction, How the Light Gets In, with Influx Press. She has an MA in Creative and Life Writing from Goldsmiths College, University of London and a BA in History from the University of Oxford. She has taught creative writing in a wide range of settings, and is particularly interested in working with writers of contemporary fiction, both long and short. Clare is a Cornerstones core editor.

Interests: Contemporary fiction

Jaine has been writing science fiction and fantasy professionally since 2007. She also writes for video-games, has written for Dr Who, and teaches creative writing. Her novels include the Hidden Empire space opera series, published by Gollancz. Her short fiction has appeared in various anthologies and magazines in the UK and US, has won the British Science Fiction Association Shorter Fiction Award and has been long-listed for the BBC National Short Story Award. Jaine is a Cornerstones core editor.

Interests: science fiction, fantasy, YA, historical and Fortean non-fiction

Suellen has written two novels, After Everything and The Housekeeper, both published in the US and the UK by Simon and Schuster. She has also written non-fiction books, including the memoirs of the Michelin starred chef, Michel Roux Jr.

She worked as a journalist and television producer before studying creative writing at the University of Oxford and Bath Spa University. Suellen is a Cornerstones core editor.

Interests: contemporary commercial and literary fiction, psychological and family drama, and sociological non-fiction.

Lezanne is a fiction writer and freelance editor. She is represented by Rowan Lawton of Furniss Lawton and her first novel (Jellybird, Orion) was chosen as the Waitrose Book of the Week. Her second novel (The Colour of Lies, Orion) was published in August 2018. Her short stories have won or been shortlisted for The Bridport Prize, The Fish Prize (Flash and Short Story categories) and The New Writer Prose and Poetry Awards. Her work has been featured in numerous anthologies, magazines and newspapers. She has run her own writing and critique circle for six years and is passionate about supporting and assisting fellow writers. Lezanne is a Cornerstones core editor.

Interests: adult commercial and literary fiction, psychological suspense, magic realism and short stories.

Gina has authored seven YA novels. Her most recent books are YA-crossover thrillers, Love You to Death (2023, Scholastic) and You Can Trust Me (2022, Scholastic), and a duo of teen fairy tale retellings, All the Better to See You (2021, Scholastic) and Good Enough to Eat (2022, Scholastic). She has also authored three earlier crime-thrillers with Pan Macmillan (Pretty Twisted, 2011, an e-book bestseller, Forget Me Never, 2012, winner of the Oldham Book Award, and Saving Silence, 2013, winner of the Warwickshire Book Award and nominated for the Carnegie Medal). She has a degree in English Literature from the University of Cambridge and has spoken at literary festivals, in schools and at library events.

In addition to editing work, Gina is also an Associate Lecturer on the MA in Creative Writing for Young People course at Bath Spa University. Outside of publishing she has worked in the education sector, offering advice and guidance to young people considering university and various career pathways. Gina is a Cornerstones core editor.

Interests: YA, MG, crime, thrillers, historical, horror, romance, all commercial fiction

Alex is the author of several picture books including Monkey Bedtime (Faber, 2022), Stop that Dinosaur (Bloomsbury, 2021) and a middle-grade series Sky Pirates (Simon & Schuster). Her books have been shortlisted for the Dundee Picture Book Award, chosen by BookTrust for their Bookstart Corner programme and selected by The Reading Agency for the Summer Reading Challenge. Alex has an MA in Writing for Young People and is experienced in mentoring authors and running creative writing workshops. She is a Cornerstones core editor.

Interests: All YA and MG genres; picture books