Paulo Coelho de Souza (born 24 August 1947) is a Brazilian lyricist and novelist and a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters since 2002. His 1988 novel The Alchemist became an international best-seller.

Before dedicating his life completely to literature, Coelho worked as a theatre director and actor, lyricist, and journalist. In 1986, he did the pilgrimage to Saint James of Compostella, an experience later documented in his book The Pilgrimage. In the following year, Coelho published The Alchemist. Although initial sales were slow, it became one of the best-selling Brazilian books of all time. Other titles include Brida (1990), The Valkyries (1992), and By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept (1994).