Joan van Emden wrote extensively about writing and speaking for engineers, including two other books in the Palgrave Study Guides series. She was Director of the Jove Centre, which specialises in technical writing and presentations, and she taught these subjects at the University of Reading for over twenty years.

Lucinda Becker is Professor of Pedagogy in English Literature at the University of Reading, UK. She is also a professional trainer, developing and delivering courses in communication, presentation, management techniques and job-searching skills. She is the author of The Mature Student's Handbook, 14 Days to Exam Success and co-author of Writing for Engineers and Presentation Skills for Students (with Joan van Emden).