Lian Hearn, born as Gillian Margaret Hanson on 29 August 1942, is an English-born children's author and playwright. Known widely for her work under the pseudonym Lian Hearn, she has made a significant impact in the literary world with her engaging storytelling and vivid imagination.

Born in Potten End, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, Gillian spent her childhood between England and Nigeria, before relocating to Australia in 1973. Her debut novel, Space Demons, released in 1986, introduced the themes of growing up and fantasy worlds, which are often prevalent in her work. This book, along with others such as At Ardilla, Foxspell, and Galax-Arena, received critical acclaim and numerous awards.

In 2001, Gillian Rubinstein adopted the pseudonym Lian Hearn and published Across the Nightingale Floor, the first book of the best-selling Tales of the Otori series. Set in a fictional island nation resembling feudal Japan, this series marked her first venture into writing for an adult audience. The name "Lian" originated from a childhood nickname, while "Hearn" is believed to be inspired by herons, a recurring motif in the series.

Lian Hearn's beloved Tales of the Otori series has sold more than four million copies worldwide and has been translated into nearly forty languages. The series consists of five volumes: Across the Nightingale Floor, Grass for His Pillow, Brilliance of the Moon, The Harsh Cry of the Heron, and Heaven's Net is Wide. Following this success, she wrote two standalone novels, Blossoms and Shadows and The Storyteller and His Three Daughters, both set in Japan.

Her forthcoming series, The Tale of Shikanoko, was published in four volumes in 2016. The books include Emperor of Eight Islands, Autumn Princess, Dragon Child, Lord of the Darkwood, and The Tengu's Game of Go.

Currently, Lian Hearn resides in Mullumbimby, New South Wales.