Steve "S. J." Watson, born in 1971, is an acclaimed English writer who made a remarkable debut in 2011 with the thriller novel Before I Go to Sleep. This novel quickly escalated to international fame, being sold in 42 countries and continuing to be an international bestseller. Watson's literary journey began in the UK, where he was born and continues to reside in London. Prior to his writing career, Watson contributed significantly to the public sector by working in the NHS for a number of years.

His debut novel not only garnered critical acclaim but also won numerous awards, and was later adapted into a movie starring Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth, and Mark Strong in 2014. Following the success of his first book, Watson published Second Life, which also became a top ten bestseller. His latest novel, FINAL CUT, was released in August 2020, eagerly awaited by his fans and critics alike.

Watson's engagement with his audience extends beyond his novels. He maintains a Substack where readers can keep up to date with his latest writing, join in with his public novel writing project The Experiment (a real-time, first-draft of a brand-new novel), read exclusive essays and musings from his personal collection, and discover The Writers’ Lodge—a platform providing tips and support for fellow writers. Watson also offers the opportunity for 1:1 meetings, further demonstrating his commitment to the writing community and his readers.