Frances Hardinge Biography

Frances Hardinge is rarely seen with out her black hat.

Courtesy of HarperCollins

Birthdate: 1973
Birthplace: England

Frances Hardinge is the author of Fly by Night, a fantastical story of an orphan, Mosca Mye, who was named after a fly. Here's the buzz on the novel's wacky writer.

Frances Hardinge - Inspiring Beginnings

Frances Hardinge grew up in a big, old house in rural Kent, England where she dreamed of being an author from the age of four. Her creepy, isolated surroundings would later inspire her first novel, Fly by Night. Frances always liked dark stories - when she was six, she wrote a short story that included an attempted poisoning, a faked death and a villain being thrown off a cliff - all in just one page! Frances went on to study English at Oxford University and was a founding member of a writers' workshop there.

Frances Hardinge - Writing Her Way to Success

Frances Hardinge turned her love of books into her career after winning a magazine short story competition. She wrote Fly by Night in her spare time and only showed it to a publisher after being pestered by a stubborn friend. She's since signed a three book deal, so expect a lot more adventures in the Fractured Kingdom coming soon!

Frances Hardinge - Bizarre Antics

Frances Hardinge may be best known for her writing but her strange clothing and quirky hobbies rate a close second. Frances is rarely seen in any color other than black and she's never without her favorite black hat. In her down time, Frances admits she and her friends like to dress up in old-fashioned clothing, hold murder mystery parties and stage duels in stately homes. I guess we can't all play Xbox.