Gavin Extence is an English writer born in 1982. He gained notable recognition by winning the Waterstones 11 literary prize for his debut novel, The Universe Versus Alex Woods, published in 2013. Extence holds a PhD in Film Studies, is married, has a daughter, and is an enthusiastic chess player.

The Universe Versus Alex Woods tells the unique story of Alex, a teenage science enthusiast who, after being struck by a meteorite and surviving a coma, befriends a Vietnam veteran with a love for Kurt Vonnegut. The book explores themes of friendship and the allure of science and astronomy.

His second novel, The Mirror World of Melody Black, released in 2015, dives into the life of a young girl experiencing mental illness.

Gavin Extence grew up in Swineshead, Lincolnshire, where he had a brief yet distinguished career as a chess player between the ages of 5 and 11. During this time, he won numerous national championships and traveled to Russia to compete against young chess prodigies, securing one victory. Apart from writing, he enjoys cooking, amateur astronomy, and visiting Alton Towers.