Kelly Barnhill is an acclaimed author and teacher. She is renowned for her contributions to children's literature, fantasy, and science fiction. Barnhill has received numerous accolades, including the World Fantasy Award for her novella The Unlicensed Magician, a Parents' Choice Gold Award for Iron Hearted Violet, and the Charlotte Huck Honor for The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Additionally, she has been a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award, the Andre Norton award, and the PEN/USA literary prize. Barnhill is also a recipient of the McKnight Artist's Fellowship in Children's Literature.

She resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband and three children. For more information, you can visit her blog at kellybarnhill.com.