Zadie Smith is a Granta Best Young British Novelist and the author of White Teeth, The Autograph Man, On Beauty, Changing my Mind (essays) and editor of a book of short stories, The Book of Other People.

My literary hero...

'I just don't think of literature in terms of heroes; it's the whole enterprise down-the-ages that is 'heroic' to me -- the actual individuals and individual novels involved are always flawed in some way. For me it's better to speak of a 'present crush.' And that's easy to answer: Flannery O'Connor. There's something about Catholic writers - they have a genuine interest in evil. They believe in it, as a force present in the world. Whether you're a believer or not you can feel how much is at stake in a Flannery O'Connor story - she's weighing souls! Not just commenting on good or bad manners. Incredible ear for dialogue, too.'

Cerys Matthews is a singer, songwriter, author and broadcaster, hosting a popular weekly radio show on BBC6 Music. A collector of songs for over thirty years, she was lead singer and songwriter for the multi-million-selling band Catatonia, and duets with Tom Jones on the perennial winter favourite, 'Baby, It's Cold Outside'.

My literary/musical hero...

Actress and freelance journalist, Giovanna is married to Tom Fletcher from McFly. She grew up in Essex with her Italian dad Mario, mum Kim, big sister Giorgina and little brother Mario, and spent most of her childhood talking to herself (it seems no one wanted to listen) or reading books. Giovanna is a firm believer in the power of magpies and positive energy. To see what makes Giovanna tick, you should take a look at her blog or follow her on Twitter.

My literary hero...

'It's very hard to pick when there are so many amazing authors and characters out there, but looking on my bookshelves one author grabbed my attention more than the others - his big colourful books waving their arms around and calling out to me - and that is Bill Bryson. Oh what a wonderful life Mr Bryson must have, trotting around the globe, experiencing what it has to offer and then putting it all down in writing for everyone in a witty and coherent way. Actually, I would, in fact, love to be him.'

Suzanne Rindell is currently finishing a Ph.D. in English Literature at Rice University. The Other Typist is her first novel. She lives in New York.

My literary hero...

'I'm rereading Breakfast at Tiffany's right now and am struck by how vividly Holly Golightly leaps from the page. For all her whimsical quirks and propensity for dramatics, she shouldn't be a believable character, and yet there's something very true in the way Capote writes her. She's not a hero in the traditional sense; in fact, she's a bit of an anti-hero, in that she's a pure survivalist and not very moral. But that's the catch, I suppose: from a very young age she's had to make her own way in the world and has had to accept a very flawed reality and make the best of it. There's something about her indomitable pluckiness that has to be admired.'