Fiona Pitt-Kethley studied at the Chelsea School of Art where she obtained a BA Hons. before going on to become a full-time writer. As a student she ushered at the Old Vic and National Theatre. While writing she sometimes worked as a film extra. She married the chess grandmaster and former British chess champion, James Plaskett, in 1995. They have a son Alexander. In 2002 they moved to Spain. Since 2006 they have lived in Cartagena with various rescued feral cats. She goes rock-hunting and hill-walking in the Sierra Minera, and also enjoys fishing, cycling, kayaking, listening to local Flamenco concerts and snorkelling.She has published many books and hundreds of articles for newspapers and magazines such as London Review of Books, Guardian, Independent, Times, Telegraph, the Oldie. Her last poetry pamphlet, The Samson Crane, was published by Dreich. Her last prose book, Washing Amethysts in the Bidet, was published by UP Publications.