Jasper Fforde was born on 11 January 1961 and is an English novelist known primarily for his Thursday Next novels. Fforde's inaugural novel, The Eyre Affair, emerged in 2001 and swiftly garnered attention for its inventive narrative and creative blend of genres. His literary creations are celebrated for their abundant literary allusions, adept wordplay, and ingeniously structured plots. Fforde's writing is characterized by its playful engagement with conventional genre norms, incorporating elements of metafiction, parody, and fantasy.

Before embarking on his writing career, Fforde spent nineteen years in the film industry, contributing to movies such as Goldeneye, The Mask of Zorro, and Entrapment. Harbouring a secret desire to craft his own stories, he began writing in 1988. After facing numerous rejections, his perseverance paid off when The Eyre Affair was published by Hodder & Stoughton in July 2001. Set in a world similar to ours but with distinct and bizarre differences—such as a socialist republic of Wales—Fforde's debut novel introduced readers to a unique and imaginative literary landscape.

In addition to the Thursday Next series, Fforde has authored books in the Nursery Crime series and launched the Shades of Grey series, further showcasing his versatility and creativity as a writer.