SF Said (he/him) is a British Muslim author of Middle Eastern background who was born in Beirut and grew up in London’s Iraqi diasporic community. After graduating from the University of Cambridge, he worked as a press attaché and speech writer for the Crown Prince of Jordan’s office in London. He began a PhD in 1997 looking at the lives of young Muslims in Britain but left academia to focus on film journalism for the Daily Telegraph—where he brought attention to world cinema, including contemporary Islamic cinema—and writing for children. Visit him at www.sfsaid.com.

Dave McKean (he/him) is a multi-award-winning illustrator who has designed an incredible number of award-winning and ground-breaking books, collaborating with world-famous names in literature such as Neil Gaiman (Coraline), David Almond (Mouse Bird Snake Wolf), Richard Dawkins, and Ray Bradbury. He has also worked as a concept artist on films such as Harry Potter. Visit him on Instagram @davemckeanhourglass.