Cliff McNish

Cliff McNish is an English author who began writing in 1998 and has been a full-time writer since 2003, often engaging with schools through fiction writing workshops. He primarily writes fantasy and supernatural novels for young adults. McNish was born in Sunderland but spent most of his childhood in the south-east of England.

His notable works include The Doomspell Trilogy, a fantasy series for middle-grade readers that has been translated into 26 languages and was influenced by C.S. Lewis's Narnia. Following this, he wrote The Silver Sequence, a science fiction trilogy for younger readers about children with special abilities. McNish also authored the acclaimed ghost novel Breathe: A Ghost Story, which received several awards and was recognized as one of the top 100 novels of all time by the UK School Librarians' Network. Other works explore themes of angels, horror, and the supernatural, often featuring young protagonists.

Cliff McNish's literary output largely centers on the fantasy and supernatural genres, primarily targeting young adult and middle-grade audiences. His works often delve into themes of magic, otherworldly realms, and the paranormal. For instance, The Doomspell Trilogy, a significant early work, is set partly on Earth and partly on fictional 'Witch Worlds,' indicating a penchant for creating immersive, magical settings. The influence of C.S. Lewis is noted, suggesting a classic approach to fantasy world-building and character development. His later works, such as Breathe: A Ghost Story and The Hunting Ground, directly engage with ghost stories, exploring the presence of spirits and their interactions with the living, often within domestic or familiar settings.

A recurring element in McNish's writing is the exploration of supernatural phenomena and beings. Novels like Angel introduce celestial beings, exploring their impact on the lives of teenagers and incorporating darker themes such as adolescent struggles and existential questions. Savannah Grey delves into horror, featuring monstrous entities that stalk a young protagonist. The ghost novels, Breathe and The Hunting Ground, specifically focus on the spectral realm, depicting ghost children and their unique predicaments. These narratives often place ordinary young people in extraordinary circumstances, confronting the unknown and supernatural forces that shape their reality.