Brent Hartinger is an accomplished American author, playwright, and screenwriter, renowned for his novels featuring gay teenagers. Geography Club, his first novel published in 2003, stands out as a pioneer in LGBTQ young adult fiction. It narrates the story of a gay teen, Russel Middlebrook, and was adapted into a feature film in 2013. Hartinger continued Russel's journey in the acclaimed Russel Middlebrook Series and later in the Russel Middlebrook: The Futon Years.

Hartinger, a storyteller at heart, has published fourteen novels and seen his screenplays optioned, with two projects made into feature films. He delves into mysteries and thrillers, with noteworthy titles like Grand & Humble and Three Truths and a Lie, the latter being nominated for an Edgar Award.

Brent's accolades include the Lambda and GLAAD Awards, and his involvement in co-founding AfterElton.com, which MTV/Viacom acquired in 2006. As a digital nomad, he travels internationally with his husband, writer Michael Jensen, documenting their journey on "Brent and Michael Are Going Places."