Karl Edward Wagner was an American writer, poet, editor, and publisher renowned for his work in horror, science fiction, and heroic fantasy. Born on December 12, 1945, in Knoxville, Tennessee, he initially pursued a career in psychiatry before his creative talents led him down the path of literature. Wagner's noteworthy contributions include a series of dark fantasy and horror stories. His editorial acumen shone through in projects such as the three-volume set of Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian fiction, which he restored to its original, unadulterated form.

Wagner served as the editor for the influential The Year's Best Horror Stories series published by DAW Books. He also co-founded the Carcosa publishing company, through which he issued four volumes celebrating the best stories from the Golden Age pulp magazines. Among his creations, the character Kane, the Mystic Swordsman stands out as a fan favorite.

Despite holding a degree in psychiatry, Wagner's stories such as "The Fourth Seal" and "Into Whose Hands" reflect his growing disenchantment with the medical profession. He often described his personal philosophy as nihilistic, anarchistic, and absurdist. With a touch of humor, he claimed to be connected to "an opera composer named Richard". Wagner's appreciation for film was evident in his admiration for Sam Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch, which he professed to worship.