Kim Scott is a descendant of people living along the south coast of Western Australia prior to colonisation, and is proud to be one among those who call themselves Noongar. He began writing for publication when he became a teacher of English. He is currently based at Curtin University in Western Australia as Professor of Writing, in the School of Media, Culture and Creative Arts.

Hazel Brown (d.2021) is the senior elder of a large, extended family. She has worked as a rural labourer, was a member for WA’s first metropolitan Commission of Elders, and is a registered native title claimant.