Patrick Ness, an award-winning novelist, journalist, lecturer, and screenwriter, was born in the United States but now calls London home, holding dual citizenship. Ness is celebrated for his compelling young adult novels, notably the Chaos Walking trilogy and A Monster Calls. His unique storytelling prowess has earned him the prestigious Carnegie Medal in both 2011 and 2012 for Monsters of Men and A Monster Calls, respectively, making him one of the rare authors to win this accolade back-to-back.

Ness's remarkable journey in literature has seen him pen a variety of works, including two novels for adults, The Crash of Hennington and The Crane Wife, a short story collection for adults titled Topics About Which I Know Nothing, and ten novels for young adults. Among his numerous accolades are the Costa Children's Book Award, the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, and the Booktrust Teenage Prize. His screenplay for the film adaptation of A Monster Calls, featuring Liam Neeson, Sigourney Weaver, and Felicity Jones, showcases his versatility and talent in storytelling across different mediums.

Beyond his literary achievements, Ness has a fondness for the Decemberists, Peter Carey, and A&W Cream Soda, while harboring an intense dislike for onions. His life journey from Virginia to Hawaii, Washington, California, and finally London, where he has resided since 1999, reflects his diverse experiences and influences that enrich his writing.