Tim Pears is in his early 50s and lives in North Oxford with his wife Hania and two children. His novels explore family relationships and the pressing social issues of the day.

Born in Tonbridge Wells, Kent, Pears grew up in mid-Devon. He left school at 16 and worked in a wide variety of jobs: farm labourer, nurse in a mental hospital, painter and decorator, college night porter and many others.

He also made short films, and in 1993 graduated from the Direction course at the National Film and Television School. He wrote the script for a feature film, Loop, released in 1999.

His novel In a Land of Plenty was made into a 10-part drama series for the BBC by Sterling Pictures and was broadcast in 2001.

Mr Pears was writer-in-residence at Cheltenham Festival of Literature, 2002-03, and since autumn of 2006 has been a Royal Literary Fund Fellow at Oxford Brookes University.

Mr Pears revealed that before the hardback came out, publishers suggested a cover featuring a scantily-clad young girl. Now the paperback is out and you've guessed it, the cover features someone not wearing very much.

But the author adds: "Sex is used to drive the characters forward - it is very much part of everyday life, but it can also be a dangerous thing.

"I want to write books that people enjoy at the time and then think about afterwards. I'm touched that the Oxford Mail has chosen Blenheim Orchard for a book group because there are lots of conflicting characters and I think it will prompt lots of good discussion.

"Part of the plot is about the Trap Grounds, which was saved from development and there are lots of other environmental issues close to people's hearts in this city - it's that kind of place.

"I want to write about contemporary life, so naturally I draw on material from my own life but obviously I'm not Ezra Pepin. My wife Hania has been very understanding."

The writer's latest novel is about a man who loses custody of his two children and then decides to run off with them. I'm already looking forward to reading it.