Michael Ford was born in 1980 in the north of England, and studied Classics and English at Oxford University. He has held various editorial roles, and has written over eighty books for young readers. His first novel for adults, Hold my Hand (2018), featuring Detective Jo Masters, is a psychological crime thriller. The follow-up, Keep Her Close, was published in 2019. His adult novels are published under the name MJ Ford.

Michael lives with his wife and children and dogs in the Peak District. If he had any spare time, he would use it frivolously.