Eoin Colfer (pronounced "Owen") is an Irish author of children's books. Born on the South-East coast of Ireland in Wexford in 1965, Eoin was raised by his father, an elementary school teacher, historian, and artist, and his mother, a drama teacher. He developed an interest in writing during primary school, crafting gripping Viking tales inspired by his history lessons.

Colfer earned his degree from Dublin University and began his career as a primary school teacher. Alongside his wife, he spent four years (1992–1996) working abroad in Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Italy. His debut novel, Benny and Omar (1998), drew inspiration from his time in Tunisia and has been translated into numerous languages. The sequel in 1999 and the subsequent success of the Artemis Fowl series in 2001 allowed him to retire from teaching and pursue writing full-time.

The Artemis Fowl series, a cornerstone of his career, has sold over 25 million copies and been translated into 40 languages. The series expanded to include eight novels, companion books, and a spin-off trilogy, The Fowl Twins, praised for its thrilling adventures. In 2020, Disney+ released a movie adaptation of Artemis Fowl, directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh.

Colfer's body of work includes The Wish List, The Supernaturalist, and the Legends series. His Half Moon Investigations was adapted into a BBC television series. Trusted by the Douglas Adams estate, he wrote And Another Thing… (2009), the final installment in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series.

His collaborations, such as the picture book Imaginary Fred with Oliver Jeffers and the graphic novel Illegal, have received critical acclaim. Recent works include Global (2021) and Beanie and the Banshee (2024), co-authored with Steve McCarthy, cementing his reputation as a master storyteller. For adult readers, Highfire (2020) introduced a new fantasy world featuring an eccentric dragon.

A former Children’s Laureate of Ireland, Colfer keeps his laureate medal close at all times.