Marianne Pickles writes mystery novels set in the future. She grew up in Scotland near Aberdeen, where many people worked on offshore oil rigs in the North Sea. Now she lives on low-lying land in the Fens with her partner, David. They are contemplating learning to kayak.

She holds a first-class degree in English Literature and Classics from the University of Edinburgh. Her novel Time Hack won the Green Stories Novel Prize in 2023 and was shortlisted for the WOB Sustainable Story Award in 2025.