The real-life version of Ella Laurance was born and raised in Rotterdam and never really left. She studied (social) history and has done a small assortment of jobs and voluntary work. But writing has been the main theme through all of it

.She’s been with her wife since 1982, and together they have raised two sons. There are also cats. And books. Lots of books. Ella Laurance also publishes as S. Dora and R.A. Padmos.