Marjorie Bowen (1885-1952) was the principle penname for Margaret Campbell de Vere Long, a prolific English author best known for her dark historical romances, strange and literary novels and weird short stories. She also wrote under the pseudonyms of 'Joseph Shearing', 'Robert Paye' and 'George R. Preedy'. Describing herself as an 'enchantress of dread', her writing was highly regarded by contemporary critics and writers such as Graham Greene, who listed her as a chief influence. Michael Dirda (born 1948) is an American book critic, working for the Washington Post. He has been a Fulbright Fellow and won a Pulitzer Prize in 1993.