Emily Rodda (real name Jennifer Rowe) was born in Sydney, Australia, and graduated from the University of Sydney in 1973 with an MA (Hons) in English Literature. Moving into a publishing career, first as a book editor, and finally as a publisher at Angus & Robertson, Rodda's first book was published in 1984.

Emily Rodda is well known for her children's fantasy series such as Deltora Quest, Rowan of Rin, Fairy Realm, and more. Her crime fiction for adults is published under her real name, Jennifer Rowe. Her work has earned her numerous awards, including the Children's Book Council of Australia's Book of the Year for Younger Readers Award, which she has won six times.

She has been a full-time writer since 1994 and is passionate about children's reading, believing that books stimulate the imagination and teach logic and empathy in a way that games and movies can't.

Emily Rodda, alongside her husband Bob, lives in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. Her work extends beyond books; she created the characters and storylines for the TV series Murder Call and continues to share her love of literature with children and educators.