Elizabeth Moon (born March 7, 1945) is a prominent American science fiction and fantasy writer. Her notable work includes the novel The Speed of Dark, which won the prestigious Nebula Award in 2003. Besides her fiction writing, she has contributed to newspapers with columns and opinion pieces.

Moon grew up in McAllen, Texas, and graduated from McAllen High School in 1963. She earned a B.A. in History from Rice University in 1968, followed by a degree in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1975, and pursued graduate work in Biology at the University of Texas, San Antonio. From 1968 to 1971, she served in the United States Marine Corps.

Elizabeth married Richard Moon, a fellow Rice University classmate and Army officer, in 1969. The couple moved to a small town in central Texas in 1979, where they continue to reside and have one son, born in 1983.

Moon started writing stories and poems in her childhood and attempted her first book at the age of six. Her passion for science fiction blossomed during her high school years.