My father was a bookseller in London, shops which also specialised in library supply, and so this industry has always been my life.

After a conventional education, culminating in a degree in Diplomatic History  - which contrasts with a fairly fiery Irish temperament – I had no ambition to be a professional footballer nor rock musician, and it was soon apparent that professional cricketer or concert violinist were not to be, so I had some basic financial and banking training in the City before setting up Severn House in 1974. (Though my love of cricket and classical music have never left me, and provide what little relaxation I get.)

As friends and colleagues know, I am a much better travel consultant than editor, but thanks to an ever-evolving team we have survived nearly 35 years as an independent publisher, and our authors who are the real stars have entertained literally millions of readers throughout the world through the public library system.

Amanda Stewart was educated at a French convent in Paris and at Newnham College, Cambridge, where she read Modern Languages. She joined Hodder & Stoughton in 1982 as an editorial secretary, rising through the ranks to become Editorial Director of the paperback division..

In 1999 she left Hodders for New York where she acted as US agent for three British literary agents, and freelanced for Publishing News, serving as their US correspondent and writing features on trade-related issues and personalities. On returning to London in 1993 with husband and 1-year-old son, she joined Readers Digest magazine as part-time Books Editor. Seven years and two more children later, in January 2000, she joined Severn House as Publishing Director.

Amanda Stewart lives with her family in Barnes, London. As a working mother-of-three her ‘hobbies’ are mostly of the domestic variety – cooking, shopping and laundry – but she is a keen walker and swimmer, and tries to find time for friends, cinema and theatre, as well as ‘non-work’ reading.

Leanne completed an Honours degree in Dietetics at the University of Cape Town and the returned to complete a BTech Diploma in Graphic Design at Cape Technikon.

Leanne joined Severn House Publishers in September 2002 as Assistant Art Director.

Her main outside interest is walking and she has seen much of the UK whilst being an active member of the Surrey Under 40s Ramblers Group. Leanne also enjoys camping, cycling and swimming. She enjoys painting and drawing and attends part-time watercolour painting classes at the Sutton College of Learning for Adults.

Michelle worked for Martin Dunitz Ltd (medical publishers) for seven years before joining Severn House in 1998 as PA to Edwin Buckhalter.

She is now responsible for most things non-editorial or design, including all warehouse, shipping and customer related matters.

Michelle is a closet Elvis fan and has a twenty two year old daughter who refuses to leave home.

Sam is a part-time assistant working alongside Michelle Duff.

She was educated at the Urusline Convent School in Wimbledon; upon leaving school Sam had many varied roles in several different industries from Fashion to Oil.

She is a mother of two teenage children and one very spoilt Bassett Hound.