Born at The Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, in 1969, Darren Powis is a native of the Eastern Valley in Gwent, South Wales, and hails from a long line of coal miners, steelworkers, and railwaymen.

After wiping the coal dust from his face, escaping the clutches of the wicked iron masters, and dodging being press-ganged by roaming gangs of male voice choirs, he ran away to join the newspapers. He soon found himself standing in the middle of Newport shouting: 'Echo!' at disinterested passersby.

His career in newspaper journalism led him to community radio and public relations work. He now dabbles with online media and publishing. Jobs he'd rather forget include call centre agent and toffee apple dipper – he needed the money.

Darren has previously co-written and published a range of sci-fi novels with friend and fellow author, R.W. Finlan. The Talgorse Horror is Darren's first solo published work.

Darren and his wonderful wife, Wendy, are overseen at home by their feline overlords in a small, quiet Gwent valleys town, surrounded by lush green hills, gently flowing rivers, and the occasional very confused alien visitor.