Alexander Masters wrote the biography of a homeless man, Stuart: A Life Backwards (Perennial). It was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson prize and the Guardian first book award. Visit www.alexandermasters.net.

Julie Wheelwright is the author of The Fatal Lover: Mata Hari, The Myth of Women in Espionage, Amazons and Military Maids and most recently Captive: Esther Wheelwright.

Miranda Seymour is a novelist, critic and biographer. In My Father’s House won the 2008 Pen/Ackerley Prize for memoir of the year.