Biographical note

Ian Preston grew up in a small rural village in Staffordshire. His father loves books and read to him from a very young age. Ian can remember his father reading him The Wind in the Willows when he was just three or four years old. The tales of the river bank and fights between Badger and the stoats gripped him each night and he looked forward to bedtime. As he grew up and began reading to himself, Ian became fascinated by tales of Narnia and Middle Earth. His favourite books were written by J.R.R. Tolkien, especially 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings'. He secretly hoped that the small part of England he grew up in had once been part of the Shire before the elves left. A few years ago Ian was struck when talking to his daughter about her imaginary friend Relly. At the time she talked endlessly about Relly's appearance, personality and the games they played. Ian encouraged this and always played along. Then one day he wondered, what if Relly lived somewhere when he wasn't with her? From that idea a plot was born and he finally plucked up the courage to write it all down.