Brent Runyon (also known as Brenner) is a contemporary writer known for his impactful work in the young adult genre. Born in 1977, he has authored three significant books. His first book, The Burn Journals (2004), is a memoir detailing his survival from a suicide attempt at the age of 14, where he suffered third-degree burns on 85% of his body.

His other works include two novels: Maybe (2006) and Surface Tension: A Novel in Four Summers (2009), the latter being a collaboration with Christina Egloff. The Burn Journals was nominated for a Georgia Peach Award for Young Readers.

Runyon is also known for his contributions to public radio's This American Life. He resides in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with his wife and three stepchildren and works as a newspaper reporter.