Sheila Dalton was born in the U.K. and immigrated to Canada with her family as a child. She returned to attend the University of London and afterward traveled through Central America. She completed her degree at the University of Toronto, eventually becoming a librarian. She is currently an eResources librarian at a large district branch. She also works as a freelance editor and writer. Among her wide-ranging interests are the visual arts and Vipassana (Insight) meditation, which she has practiced for many years. Sheila's work for children and adults has been published extensively. Her nonfiction work includes three children's books on wild animals, a picture book, Bubblemania, and a literary novel, Tales of the Ex-Fire Eater (1994). Her poetry and fiction have been published in many literary magazines. Trial by Fire (Napoleon A1998) was Sheila's first novel for young adults.