Born in Salisbury, <b>Mark A Smart</b> grew up in Gloucestershire where he studied Computer Studies at Gloucestershire College of Arts and Technology.<br/>Once final exams were over, and before receiving his results, he moved to Andover in Hampshire where he got his first job as a computer operator working on the then new IBM AS/400.<br/>An avid reader, Mark is a big fan of contemporary thrillers and crime fiction as well as horror, apocalyptic sci-fi and supernatural thrillers. "I read to escape, so I like a bit of humour in what I read. In my opinion, even the most serious thriller can spare a moment for a laugh or two. With the Sam Edwards books, I've tried to write something I'd enjoy reading. They definitely don't take themselves too seriously."<br/>He's also a music lover. He's been a DJ and has also tried to help unsigned artists get discovered.<br/>When speaking about the release of <i>Don't Reply</i> he said "I always hoped I'd be lucky enough to release at least one creative work on an unsuspecting public. I just always assumed it would be to do with music. But I'm so pleased it's a book. It's been an ambition for a long time."<br/>The idea for his debut novel, <i>Don't Reply</i>, came when his wife received a spam text message for entry into a prize draw. He thought about replies to the message being used to detonate bombs and the seeds of a story were sown.<br/>Mark now lives in Leicestershire with his wife and two children. He never found out if he passed his college course.