Sibéal Pounder is the author of the bestselling Witch Wars and Bad Mermaids series of books, Neon's Secret Universe, and the Christmas tale, Tinsel . Her debut, Witch Wars , was shortlisted for the Sainsbury's Children's Book Award and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. The Bad Mermaids series was a World Book Day title and a Sunday Times Bestseller. Before becoming a full time author, Sibéal worked for the Financial Times .