Born... just the once, thanks. Still here.

Mary Gentle was born in [mumble] and had her first book, A Hawk in Silver, published when she was twenty-one. She worked in the civil service and as a cinema projectionist and cleaner before going to university as a mature student. In 1985 she was awarded a first-class degree in English and Politics and, in 1988, an MA with distinction in English and History. And she likes pigs - obviously.

The remaining Ash books (or book, depending on whether you live in the US or UK) are upcoming soon - details below - but meanwhile the roll call stands at:

• Golden Witchbreed
• Ancient Light
• A Hawk in Silver
• Rats & Gargoyles
• Grunts!
• The Architecture of Desire
• Scholars & Soldiers
• Left to His Own Devices
• A Secret History: The Book of Ash, #1
• Carthage Ascendant: The Book of Ash, #2
• The Wild Machines: The Book of Ash, #3 (USA - August 2000)
• Lost Burgundy: The Book of Ash, #4 (USA - December 2000)
• Ash: A Secret History (the novel in one volume) UK, April 2000