Donald Smith is an accomplished storyteller in a variety of media from fiction to digital, live stage and spoken word. He has produced, adapted or directed over 100 plays, and published a series of novels on turning points in Scottish history. He has also written a series of non-fiction books on Scottish culture including Storytelling Scotland (2001). He is a lead author in the series Journeys and Evocations, celebrating local storytelling traditions across Britain and Ireland. He is a founding member of the Scottish Storytelling Forum, Edinburgh's Guid Crack Club and is currently Chief Executive of TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) which brings together Scotland’s traditional arts, as well Director of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival.

Richard grew up in Leamington Spa before moving down to Devon to study illustration at the University of Plymouth in Exeter and never went home again!

After finishing his degree he stayed on to complete a P.hD. While working on his thesis he got a 'temporary job' in Exeter's Central Library and somehow found himself working there for more than ten years.

When not at his desk he enjoys bobbing about in the sea, swimming in rivers, walking in woods, listening to audiobooks on the bus and stroking the cat. He now works full time as an author and illustrator.