Boris Akunin, AKA Grigory Chkhartshvili, is a Georgian-Russian writer. A prominent critic of Vladimir Putin, he was branded a terrorist by the Russian state, and his work has been banned from sale in Russia.
Marina Litvinenko is the widow of Alexander Litvinenko, a prominent opponent of Russian president Vladimir Putin, wo died in 2006 after being poisoned in London. After the death of her husband, Marina led a campaign for a full investigation into the assassination via the Litvinenko Justice Foundation. This led to a public inquiry that indicated there was a strong probability the FSB was responsible and it was probable Putin was aware of the operation. Marina continues to campaign for Russian dissidents.
Bänoo Zan is a self-exiled poet and translator living in Canada. As well as publishing numerous works, including the books Songs of Exile and Letters to My Father, she founded the Shab-e She’r Poetry Night in Toronto.
Simon James Green is an award-winning UK author of young adult books. A leading writer in LGBTQ+ teen fiction, his works include Noah Can’t Even and Boy Like Me.