Valerie Mason-John (aka Queenie) was born in Cambridge in 1962. She has worked as an international correspondent, covering a range of stories from Australian Aboriginal Land Rights to interviewing Sinn Fein prisoners in Maghaberry Prison, Northern Ireland and has contributed to the Guardian, The Voice and the Morning Star. She currently works as a trainer using forum theatre, drama and creative writing for temper control and conflict resolution. Winner of the Windrush Achievement Award 2000, she lives in south London.