Michael Mann

Michael Mann is an award-winning children’s author of magical middle-grade novels. His debut Ghostcloud (Hachette, 2021) was a Waterstones’ best children’s book of 2021 and won the East Sussex and the Salford children’s book awards. His writing is inspired by his mixed Indian British heritage and explores themes of duality, courage and hope. The sequel Nightspark (Hachette, 2023) concludes the duology and both books have been published in the US (Peachtree) and other territories. 

Michael contributed to the Faber Book of Bedtime Stories (Faber, 2022), a book for younger children, with a story about a boy and his shadow that explores belonging and difference. He was a winner of a London Writers award and SCBWI’s Undiscovered Voices and has received commendations from competitions, including the Bath Children’s Novel award and Faber’s FAB prize. He had a winning short story published and performed by the London Liars League. He has spoken at literary festivals, including the Bath Children’s Literature Festival, and run school writing workshops and development programmes across the country, including with the organisations First Story and the Ministry of Stories. His next project is a children’s novel that brings Indian mythology around alternative families to a modern setting. 

Michael is also a primary school teacher and passionate about helping young people reach their potential. Before teaching, he worked in health and education non-profits in the UK and abroad and has significant experience drafting research and strategy papers. He now lives in East London with his partner and two young children.