Brian Martin closely rivals Mary Wesley in that he is publishing his first novel at the age of 68. Previously he has written and edited academic books. His main career has been teaching literature for 40 years both at school in Oxford and at Oxford University. He has reviewed contemporary novels for more than thirty years for the national press, including the Spectator, The Times Literary Supplement, the Financial Times and the Literary Review. He was appointed MBE for services to English literature.