Catherine Balavage is the Editor-in-chief, Founder and Publisher of Frost Magazine. She also writes for HuffPost, Belle About Town and Dollymix amongst others. She has featured in Best of You magazine and Writing Magazine.
She has written five books and is editing her first novel. She has also acted, appearing on Luther, Placebo’s For What It’s Worth music video, The Garrick in the West End and many more. Film credits include Le Fear, The Sequel and Junkhearts. She likes to spend her free time staring at her children and kissing them while they are still too young to be embarrassed by her. She loves reading and lives to write.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2952107/
Catherine’s articles on Frost Magazine
Frost editor and writer Margaret Graham has edited an arts magazine, written short fiction and articles. She finally landed on the shiny surface of a publisher’s desk and has written 16 novels, latterly for Random House. She has another 3 in the pipeline for them. She teaches creative writing, mentors and edits aspiring writers, and recently founded and runs, with Penny Deacon and Jan Speedie, Words for the Wounded (raising money for wounded troops via writing prizes and events). She is old enough to know better but frequently goes ‘too far’. This has recently taken the form of joining a ukulele band, which will perform at a gig in Christmas. The family refuse to be present because the band will also sing.
http://www.margaret-graham.com
Tracy Baines: Dorset Reviews Editor
Tracy Baines is a successful short story writer and her stories have been published in the UK, Scandinavia, Australia and South Africa. She used to squeeze her writing around other business commitments and bringing up her three children – well, it’s two and a half really but she hates the term stepson and is trying to come up with something better: half-son, shared-son, borrowed-son…she hasn’t quite found it yet.
She is a creative writing tutor, speaker and workshop organiser and likes to ferret out writing events and share them across social media platforms.
At the moment she is having fun playing with paints, glue and gesso in a garden studio in deepest Dorset. Other than that she walks her dog as she doesn’t do running of any sort and enjoys reviewing books for Frost as it’s the perfect excuse to sit reading all day.
Alex Bannard is Frost’s Wellness and Wellbeing Editor.
Alex is based on the edge of the stunning Cotswolds & has been sharing her love for all things yoga & mindfulness for almost a decade, not just in the UK but also around the world. Her mission is to help everyone discover a more mindful way of living & to encourage them to embrace regular self-care practices for a happier & healthier way of being.
David Ledain is the author of Gay Dad – Ten True Stories of Divorced Gay Men with Kids, Living in the UK Today. Ledain, divorced himself and with two grown up sons, lives in Chichester, West Sussex. His latest book This Forbidden Fruit: Male Homosexuality – A Culture & History Guide explores what it means to be gay – to live an authentic life when there is little or no reference on which to base it upon.
Talking about writing for Frost Magazine, Ledain says ‘It is the chase and discovery of the research golden nugget that drives and inspires me. So much of what I write about I unearth, to my utter surprise, for the very first time. This is why it is so important to tell all the LGBT stories that have been airbrushed from the records and hidden away. It is unsavoury (to say the least), how many lives have been blighted through fear, both homosexual and heterosexual. It is my intention, therefore, to expose the facts and tell these stories wherever I can.’
Ledain has been a guest on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour talking about being a gay dad. He has written articles for online magazines and blogs and been interviewed on radio shows.
You can follow David on Facebook & Twitter @Davidledain
And visit his website www.gaydad.co.uk for more information and his blog.
Michael Rowan is the Frost Arts and Culture Correspondent. Following a successful career in the world of public parks, undertaking the restoration of historic landscapes and the design of more modern gardens, Michael took the opportunity to semi retire meaning that he has more time to indulge his love of all things cultural, be that film, theatre or literature. He is a keen lover of opera, classical music, ballet and he is a frequent visitor to museum and art galleries and enjoys, perhaps a little too much good food and wine. So, it came as no surprise that his first review for Frost Magazine was about the London Gin Club.
Jack Shamash is a top national journalist who writes for The Times, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph as well as numerous women’s magazines. He was senior wine writer for the food and lifestyle website Allaboutyou.com and he also contributed a regular ‘Man in the Kitchen’ column. He loves Chinese food, alvarinho wine and a good sirloin steak with homemade chips. He lives in North London with a wife and two teenage children.
Christian Gott is a passionate foodie which is lucky really as for over twenty years he has worked with food, as a butcher, selling his own BBQ sauce and foremost as a chef.He is currently a development chef dreaming up delicious dishes for bars and restaurants in the Channel Islands and the UK. As a job it involves eating probably far too much seafood but hey no one ever said life was easy. Interested in the history, ethics and psychology of eating it is perhaps best not to ask him about the subject, as his family will confirm it can be difficult to shut him up.
www.anislandchef.co.uk
Sophia Mead. Sophia covers all things lifestyle focussed and looks after our Frost Favourites and Friday Focus columns, so please do get in touch with anything of interest.
Wendy Breckon catapulted into Hertfordshire from the Irish shores at 15¾. She once auditioned in the 6th form for the National Youth Theatre, accidently diving off a chair in velvet hot pants, during a passionate St. Joan speech, to unexpected applause. At that moment, the seeds of becoming a Head of Drama were planted. Wendy finds herself still chuckling at some zany moments in her teaching career, such as the incident with a purple feather boa and a pair of red stilettos.
She lives on the Dorset / Devon border and adores putting together articles for Frost Magazine and writing short stories with a sprinkling of humour. The dream, (no longer secret), is to write a television sitcom for television. She will have a part, of course. Frequent trips to London and Dublin, to see the offspring, provide her with a necessary buzz.
Dr Kathleen Thompson
Kathleen Thompson is a doctor – originally a paediatrician, more recently specialising in pharmaceutical drug research. She has two long-suffering children, who patiently tolerate their mother’s crazy projects, and rescue her from frequent IT catastrophes.
She enjoys adventures and has recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, walked the Camino de Santiago (500 miles) and, cycled through Rajasthan and, on another occasion, up the mountains of Kerala. She raised funds for the charity, Women v Cancer, during two of these escapades.
She has a passion for ballroom dancing and came 7th in Samba at the ISTD Medallists Competition Grand Finals in Blackpool 2014.
She loves languages and is currently learning to speak Spanish, Italian, Mandarin and Bulgarian extremely badly. She has started growing her own food, however, due to a few disasters, she isn’t ready to turn her back on the supermarket fruit and veg section quite yet.
Natalie Jayne Peeke – Westcountry Correspondent.
Staff Photographer: Cire Simone
Cire (Cire Simone Photography) has been interested in photography and the beauty of images from an early age. A degree in Marine and Natural History Photography at University College Falmouth furthered her enthusiasm for this media. She loves combining her passion of travel and the great outdoors in her photography and is at her happiest with a camera in her hand.
Drama Critic: Paul Vates.
Paul trained as an actor at East 15 Acting School and has done film, television, voiceovers and skinwork (no, that’s not rude). He has appeared in a wide variety of roles ranging from Shakespearean Clowns to playing Postman Pat in a UK national theatre tour – and starring as the superhero Mathsman in two award-winning BBC television series. As a writer, he has had six plays produced and is working towards becoming a published novelist. (www.paulvates.com)
Jan Speedie: Surrey Reviews Editor
I have always had a love of reading and was delighted when asked to review books for Frost Magazine (www.frostmagazine.com). It is always interesting to see what fiction book will arrive in the post next. I am enjoying my retirement with 4 growing grandchildren, a house and garden to keep under control and interesting and relaxing holidays as often as I can. At the moment I am planning a trip to Australia, one of the items on my bucket list. I also devote time to my chosen charity Words for the Wounded (www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk) to help raise funds for our wounded personnel – so far this has involved a tandem skydive, a mud challenge and preparing lunches at our Literary Festival in Downley, High Wycombe.
Shane Finn is a full time Professional Photographer. Internationally published in Fashion, commercial & editorial images. He also shoots look-books world wide for fashion designers. Covers London Fashion Week and press events. Also shoots Dance & Shows and works for Brendan Cole of Strictly Come Dancing fame, as well as other top level Latin & Ballroom dancers. Shoots in conjunction with Corinne for Frost Magazine covering Press, Launches, and events for many companies and individuals which fits Frost magazine’s high end lifestyle dynamic.
Junior Smart is a man of many talents. When he is not helping young people turn their backs on criminality through his ground-breaking scheme – The SOS Gangs Project at St Giles Trust, Junior Smart writes for us. With an infinite love for computer games, movies and anything remotely techy, Junior is as down to earth as his writing suggests and prides himself on ‘telling it like it is’. You can find out more about his project by checking out: www.stgilestrust.org.uk
Vicky Edwards is a writer, lyricist and actress. She has written several books, including The Joy of Ex: Don’t get mad, get over it, Fifty Thrifty Tips for your Dream Wedding and The Dog Lover’s Companion.
Although her acting days are mostly behind her, she did dust off her make-up box for a stint in panto at the Alexandra Theatre in Bognor Regis last year, playing the Sheriff of Nottingham’s evil mother.
As a journalist Vicky has writes on a broad variety of subjects, as well as interviewing West End and Broadway stars. Recent interviewees include Danny Elfman, Patricia Hodge, Sheila Hancock, Denise Van Outen, Keeley Hawes and author Julia Donaldson.
Vicky also reviews books, theatre and baked goods. Anyone wishing her to pass judgement on the latter is welcome to send generous quantities for her consideration.
Corinne Tuddenham-
A mother of three, Benjamin, Samantha and Charlotte, Corinne lives and works in the East Anglian/London region with her partner, Shane Finn (Visual Devotion), a professional fashion and commercial photographer. Corinne also lives at home with her two Siamese cats, Bo and Millie
Apart from fashion, Corinne is passionate about dance, Latin American and Ballroom in particular. She is an accomplished dancer, having competed as a child and enjoys the choreographic challenge of putting music and movement together on a catwalk. She is regularly cast as the lead or first face on the runway in order to keep the delivery of a show as professional and seamless as possible.
Emma-Jane Lewis is the fashion, wedding and conceptual photographer editor.
A fashion, wedding and conceptual photographer now based in East London after having recently relocated from Devon to develop her photography business further. Having 4.5 years experience in the industry and having a number of exhibitions and features, most recently in New York at the end of this year. A lover of Japanese food and anything sweet, if you don’t like desserts we might not get on!
www.emma-janephoto.co.uk, Twitter: @ejlewis88 and Facebook.
Owun Birkett may as well just declare Film as his religion! He lives and breathes from it but does he care it may be a bit too much? Not even the slightest! An aspiring filmmaker that has been influenced by many filmmakers over the years, his number one inspiring filmmakers are Christopher Nolan and David Fincher. Owun has worked with Frost Magazine editor, Catherine Balavage, in 2009 on Rebecca. He continues to pursue his goal to be a successful filmmaker and continue contributing his film critiques to Frost Magazine. Read Owun’s work here
James Yardley is Frost’s Finance and Political Editor James writes about politics, world issues, finance and news. James is a graduate of King’s College. You can read James’s work here
If you would like to write for Frost, email a CV and a covering letter to frostmagazine@gmail.com. Everyone writes for Frost on a voluntary and freelance basis.