Dean Mayes is an Adelaide based Intensive Care Nurse and author who emerged in 2010. He had nearly given up on the prospect of being published, having experienced several unsuccessful writing attempts by then in his 30's. However, Dean had a compelling idea for one last story and decided to blog it instead of letting it fade away in his imagination.

Unexpectedly, Dean's blog gained significant attention and led to a chance encounter with Canadian publisher Central Avenue in mid-2009. This opportunity allowed Dean's dreamlike tale about a young man who discovers he has inherited the memories and dreams of a stranger to become his first published novel. Dean was signed to an initial two-year contract, marking the beginning of his publishing journey.