Erika Johansen is an acclaimed author best known for her debut novel, The Queen of the Tearling. This captivating fantasy novel, published in 2014, marks the beginning of a trilogy that has captured the hearts of readers worldwide. The series is set on a fictional landmass, portraying a society several centuries in the future. Following the success of her first novel, Johansen continued to expand the universe of Tearling with two more books: The Invasion of the Tearling (2015) and The Fate of the Tearling (2016).

Johansen's journey into the world of writing is as fascinating as her novels. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, she pursued her education at Swarthmore College and honed her writing skills at the prestigious Iowa Writers' Workshop. Her path then took an interesting turn as she went on to graduate from law school, balancing her passion for writing with the rigors of legal studies.

Her inspiration for creating the heroine of her trilogy, Kelsea Glynn, struck in 2007 upon hearing a speech by Barack Obama, who was then a senator. This moment of inspiration led to the creation of a strong, 19-year-old protagonist that readers have come to adore. Johansen devoted four years to crafting this trilogy while preparing for her legal career, demonstrating her dedication to storytelling alongside her professional endeavors.