About MBL

My Book live is the brainchild of John Hale and Robert Sinclair. As keen writers themselves, they know from first hand experience how important it is to get constructive feedback from readers. They also know how frustrating it can be when you're trying to attract the interest of a publisher or agent and all they've got is your word to say how good it is!

The ethos behind this site is to allow budding and recognised writers alike to showcase their work to the world, and to be able to improve their writing by receiving vital feedback from readers at every stage of the book building process.

Meet the Team

John Hale
John spent 35 years as a financial adviser, mostly to company owners and executives. He is a life and founder member of the Institute of Financial Planning. In the 1980's, he was a regular radio broadcaster for the BBC,
giving financial advice on air. In 2002, he and his wife, Liz, retired to France, where he now spends much of his time writing.


Rowéna Jeff
Rowena’s career in IT started in 1992 with data manipulation for a premium rate telecoms company, she quickly progressed and by 1997 was instrumental in setting up the first free Internet service provider which she managed for 4 years. Desperate to spend more time at home with her young family she left the UK and office life behind in 2002 for a more fulfilling and stress free life.


Timothy Kench
Tim founded his firm in 1983 previously he had worked for a local firm supervising two of their branch offices. Located in the centre of the village of Prestwood in Buckinghamshire, Tim's firm is still essentially a sole practice but over the years the expertise in the firm has expanded, having a specialist matrimonial lawyer and a specialist tax trusts and probate lawyer on board. Tim Kench continues to be the sole Principal. timothykench.com

Stessa Short
Stessa retired to France in 2004, until someone recently pointed out that she hasn't ever worked enough to justify this.Since leaving Emap, she has spent most of her adult life raising children (predominately her own and mostly using yeast). She now writes full time, fiction and poetry, during the night - and works as a translator during the day.