Patrick Kelly was born and brought up in Belfast and latterly lived in York. He was a freelance journalist and editor, who has contributed to many newspapers and magazines in the UK and Spain, including The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Independent, Independent on Sunday, Irish Times, Evening Standard, New Statesman and The Times. He wrote regularly on the arts for Museums Journal, Arts Industry and a number of other publications.He was a graduate of the Creative Writing school at the University of Limerick. A Hard Place was his first novel.

'An utterly heart-wrenching novel, but Kelly's fluency and heart give it a delightful humour and grace too. Conjured with compassion and perceptiveness, it's a layered love story with breathtakingly vivid evocations of place and time, and deftly-drawn insights about the political backdrop of the day. I loved every single moment.' Sarah Moore Fitzgerald; 'This kind of writing opens readers' minds and hearts, casts light in the darkest places, and puts a wonderful grammar on things that are not always easily understood. It's a huge achievement.' Donal Ryan; 'This vivid, evocative, beautifully written novel brings to life a Belfast not seen often in fiction. Bravo to Patrick Kelly for this moondance made of words.' Joseph O'Connor