Elizabeth Moon, born March 7, 1945, is an acclaimed American science fiction and fantasy writer. Her illustrious writing career spans across genres including newspaper columns and opinion pieces. Before embarking on her writing journey, she served in the United States Marine Corps.

Her novel The Speed of Dark earned her the prestigious 2003 Nebula Award. Moon's dedication to her craft is evident in her extensive body of work that continues to captivate readers with its depth and imagination.

Elizabeth Moon was born and raised in McAllen, Texas, and attended McAllen High School, graduating in 1963. She possesses a B.A. in History from Rice University (1968) and another in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin (1975), with additional graduate work in Biology at the University of Texas, San Antonio.

Her military service from 1968 to 1971, first at MCB Quantico and then at HQMC, is a testament to her dedication and discipline, qualities that she also brings to her writing. Moon married Richard Moon, a Rice classmate and Army officer, in 1969, and in 1979, they settled in a small central Texas town where they continue to reside. They are parents to one son, born in 1983.

Moon started writing stories and poems as a small child, including an attempted first book (an illustrated biography of the family dog) at age six. She began writing science fiction in high school, marking the start of a lifelong passion and successful career in writing.