Chris Bradford is an author, professional musician and black belt martial artist, best known for his children's fictional series, Young Samurai. The first Young Samurai book, The Way of the Warrior, was published by Puffin Books in 2008. Disney bought the rights in the same year and are due to publish early 2009. Bradford has also written a number of books on the music business, including the critically acclaimed Heart & Soul: Revealing the Craft of Songwriting, Crash Course Songwriting and the three-part illustrated series of music business books for teenagers, Record Deals OutLoud, Music Publishing OutLoud and Artist Management OutLoud. Before becoming a full-time author, Bradford was a professional songwriter, who worked with many successful musicians including Dave Calhoqoun; Ivor Novello winner Iain Archer; and the legendary Graham Gouldman. As an artist himself, Bradford performed with James Blunt, at the Notting Hill Carnival and for Queen Elizabeth II. As a martial artist, Bradford joined a Judo club at the age of 8 years and has over 20 years experience in martial arts in various styles including Shotokan Karate, Muay Thai, Aikido and Taijutsu in which he is a black belt. 

June 23rd, 1974 in Aylesbury (Age 50)