Thomas Aplin was born in England in 1979. He has a BA in Arabic and is currently pursuing a PhD on the Saudi novel at the University of Edinburgh. His love for contemporary Arabic fiction was kindled by the novels of Abdelrahman Munif, which he read as an undergraduate during a year spent studying in Damascus. Alongside contributions to various publications, such as the Caravan, Banipal Magazine, and the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF), Thomas has worked on a number of cultural and heritage projects across the Gulf region.