Sarah Ann Waters, Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), is a distinguished Welsh novelist renowned for her intricately plotted tales set within Victorian society and her richly drawn lesbian protagonists. Her debut novel, Tipping the Velvet, emerged in 1998 as a groundbreaking exploration of lesbianism in the Victorian era. Waters' work has been adapted for the screen, with the BBC broadcasting a three-part series based on the novel.

Her subsequent novels continued to garner acclaim. Affinity (1999) won the Stonewall Book Award and delved into themes of love, betrayal, corruption, and suspense, with a dash of spiritualism, set against the backdrop of a Victorian women's prison. Fingersmith (2002), Waters' third novel, brought her widespread recognition, weaving a tale of deception and same-sex love, reminiscent of the classic themes found in tales of treachery and the underbelly of society, akin to Oliver Twist. The novel was later adapted into a successful BBC series and inspired the South Korean film The Handmaiden by director Park Chan-wook.

In The Night Watch (2006), Waters explores secrets and scandals in 1940s London through the interconnected lives of four women, three of whom are lesbians, and one gay man. Her novel The Little Stranger (2009) presents a ghostly narrative set in postwar Britain.

Waters' literary achievements have been recognized with numerous accolades, including being named Author of the Year by The Sunday Times in 2003, and she has received awards from booksellers and the British Book Award (2002). She continues to reside in London, where she channels her academic background and love for literature into crafting her novels.