Phyllis Matthewman had one surviving sister, Joyce. She was educated at Leeds High School. Elinor Brent-Dyer was an early acquaintance. After her father's death, her mother took in paying guests; there was no opportunity for Phyllis to further her education. In 1930 she married Sidney Matthewman. His father ran the Swan Press & had connections in the publishing and literary worlds. They moved frequently until Sidney had a breakdown & Phyllis took a job, and began writing; Sidney helped her both with the books and through his publishing connections. Later he set up a literary agency and Elinor Brent Dyer was also a client. In 1964, the Matthewmans moved to Redhill into a joint establishment, Gryphons, with Elinor Brent-Dyer until her death.