Simon Scarrow was born in Africa and lived in a number of countries including Hong Kong and the Bahamas before settling in Britain. He has always been interested in writing and his love of history began at school. Since then he has travelled all across the world with his wife and children to research his historical novels. Simon was an enthusiastic teacher for a number of years. He now writes full time, but does intend to return to teaching when he can find the time. Gladiator: Fight for Freedom is his first novel for Puffin.

Simon Scarrow will do for boy gladiators what JK Rowling did for boy wizards.