The authors

Yumi Katoh was born in Toyama, Japan and lives in Tokyo. She has been teaching English since she was young, and now teaches at a private school in Yokohama as well as at a "juku" (private tutoring school). She writes both in Japanese and English, and translates English stories into Japanese.

Bambi Morino is a freelance translator and provides services in various sectors including tourism. She was born in Japan and became a British citizen in 2002. She served in the RAF for 6 years. Her hobbies are playing the piano, walking her two adorable Chihuahuas and baking. She also enjoys writing books for children.

Shinsuke Takasaki writes short stories, proses and poems both in English and Japanese, and also translates between the two languages. He also creates a collage of text and image in print. His works have been published in The Lighter (Indiana), In/sects (Osaka), and Ha!art (Krakow). He has performed the reading of his work at Métro (Kyoto), Nuyorican Poet Café and FiveMyles (Brooklyn). Currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Akiko Yamanaka-Binns was born in Tokyo and now lives in the UK. She is a writer whose work ranges from journalism, including articles on culture, international trends and UK news to creative writing and design.  She is currently writing a novel. She is interested in Japanese culture, music and travel.