Joe Richard Lansdale is an American writer and martial arts instructor. Born on October 28, 1951, he is known for his versatile prose that spans a variety of genres, including Western, horror, science fiction, mystery, and suspense. Lansdale is also credited with writing comic books and screenplays, with several of his novels being adapted for film and television.

Throughout his illustrious career, Lansdale has been honored with numerous awards, including the British Fantasy Award, the American Horror Award, the Edgar Award, and an impressive eleven Bram Stoker Awards. His work has appeared in national anthologies, magazines, and collections, and has been translated into numerous foreign publications.

A prolific author, Lansdale has published over forty novels and numerous short stories. His contributions to literature have earned him accolades such as the Horror Writers Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the Grinzani Cavour Prize for Literature, the Herodotus Historical Fiction Award, and the Inkpot Award for Contributions to Science Fiction and Fantasy.