Patrick Carman, born on February 27, 1966, in Salem, Oregon, is a prominent American writer and a graduate of Willamette University. He creatively ventured into the literary world with his debut book, The Dark Hills Divide, published in 2005. This book, along with the subsequent novels in The Land of Elyon series, achieved the status of New York Times bestsellers and has been translated into over twenty languages. The series garnered nominations for various state and national awards.

Following the success of The Land of Elyon, Carman authored the Atherton trilogy, which was shortlisted for the Texas Bluebonnet. His literary journey includes over two dozen books in the middle grade and young adult genres, featuring award-winning bestsellers like Skeleton Creek, Floors, Pulse, and Dark Eden. In addition to his writing, Carman is an esteemed public speaker who graces national events such as the National Book Festival and the LA Book Festival. He even gave a TED talk on 21st-century literacy on March 5, 2011.

Carman's dedication to literacy extends to founding an annual event in his hometown, Walla Walla Kids Read, which serves as a blueprint for literacy in rural communities. His career also spans into advertising, game design, and technology, contributing to his dynamic storytelling approach.