Paula Brackston, also known by pseudonyms P. J. Brackston, P. J. Davy, and Mabli Roberts, is an author recognized for her New York Times bestselling historical fantasy novels, such as "The Witch's Daughter." Her writing career encompasses various genres, including fantasy crime series under the P. J. Brackston name. Before dedicating herself to fiction, Brackston held diverse jobs including a groom, travel agent, and teacher, and she holds an M.A. in creative writing from Lancaster University. She also contributes to academia as a visiting lecturer.

Born in Dorset, England, and raised in Wales, Brackston now resides there with her family. Her personal experiences and locations have influenced her work; she has lived in areas that inspired settings for her novels, like the Brecon Beacons National Park for "The Winter Witch" and central London for "The Midnight Witch." Her debut novel, "The Witch's Daughter," initially published as "The Book of Shadows," explores the lives and experiences of witches across different historical periods and locales, with individual books often standing alone but connected by their thematic focus on witchcraft. The "Witch's Daughter" series was later expanded with a sequel, "The Return of the Witch."

Paula Brackston's body of work frequently delves into historical fantasy, with a notable focus on witches and their narratives across various time periods and settings. Her novels, such as "The Witch's Daughter," "The Winter Witch," and "The Midnight Witch," explore the experiences of female protagonists connected to magical traditions. She employs multiple pseudonyms to distinguish her writing, using P. J. Brackston for her fantasy crime series, "Brothers Grimm Mystery," and other names like P. J. Davy and Mabli Roberts for different projects. This multi-faceted approach allows her to engage with a broader range of storytelling possibilities within the fantasy and mystery genres.

Brackston's path to becoming a fiction writer was varied, including experiences as a groom, travel agent, secretary, English teacher, and goat herder. Her academic pursuits led her to an M.A. in creative writing from Lancaster University. Her personal life and geographical locations have significantly shaped her fictional worlds. Having lived in the Brecon Beacons National Park, which served as the setting for "The Winter Witch," and in London near Fitzroy Square, the backdrop for "The Midnight Witch," Brackston imbues her stories with a sense of place. Her hometown of Dorset also features as the origin of "The Witch's Daughter's" main character, Elizabeth Anne Hawksmith.