Samantha Cook (2) (1965–)

Samantha Cook was born in North London, where she still lives.
After studying English and Film at the University of East Anglia, and then working at London's British Film Institute and Museum of the Moving Image, in the early 1990s she joined Rough Guides, co-authoring The Rough Guide to the USA with co-authors Greg Ward, Tim Perry and Jamie Jensen.

She went on to write The Rough Guide to New Orleans and the Directions Guide to New Orleans, and co-wrote The Rough Guide to Online Travel and the Directions Guide to Honolulu with Greg Ward.

From 1992 to 1998 Sam worked in the London office as editor and managing editor, leaving to go freelance and to concentrate on writing. She has since stayed freelance, although has returned to Rough Guides office life every now and then to do short-term stints as managing editor and to work on the website.

In addition to writing, editing and updating travel titles, Sam has also worked on a number of Rough Guide reference books, as both author and editor. Among other things, this has included editing a hefty tome on comedy movies, writing The Rough Guide to Chick Flicks, and contributing to The Rough Guide to Cult Movies.

Her most recent books as an author are The Rough Guide to the Best Places to stay in Britain on a Budget, and The Rough Guide to the Royals.

She is currently researching a guide to Kent, Sussex and Surrey.