The Penniless Peer

Barbara Cartland (1901–2000) was a prolific author of romance novels, selling over 1,000 million books in her lifetime, which earned her a place in The Guinness Book of Records. She wrote a total of 723 books of which 657 were novels; her books have been translated into 37 different languages. Amazingly, 400 of her romances were written during the last 20 years of her life. At her death, she left an unprecedented 160 manuscripts, which are now being published on the Internet as part of the Barbara Cartland Pink Collection, as well as in translated editions. Although best known for her fiction, Cartland also wrote several biographies, including one of her brother Ronald Cartland, the first Member of Parliament to be killed in the Second World War. She had an active political life and served for nine years as Councillor for Hertfordshire County Council, campaigning for nursing home reform and salary improvement for midwives; she was also awarded the Bishop Wright Air Industry Award for her work in aviation. Cartland was made a Dame of the British Empire (DBE) in 1991 for her contribution to literature and her work for the community.

Susie Riddell is an award-winning actor, podcast host and voice artist. She plays Tracy Horrobin in BBC Radio 4's The Archers and has twice been a member of the BBC Radio Drama Company. Her prolific radio work includes leading roles in Mrs Dalloway, Frankenstein, and Tamburlaine and she has narrated over 60 audiobooks. Titles include The Distance Between Us by Maggie O'Farrell and How to Kill Your Biggest Fan by Helen Blair.