Robin McKinley is an American author renowned for her fantasy novels and retellings of classic fairy tales. Born as Jennifer Carolyn Robin McKinley on November 16, 1952, in Warren, Ohio, she grew up as the only child of a U.S. Navy father. This resulted in a childhood filled with extensive moving, during which her voracious reading provided constant inspiration for her storytelling.

McKinley's literary career is highlighted by her novel "The Hero and the Crown", which won the prestigious Newbery Medal in 1984. Her contributions to the genres of science fiction and fantasy were further recognized in 2022 when she was named the 39th Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association.

Throughout her life, McKinley has used books as a way to remember events and places she has experienced, such as reading "The Blue Fairy Book" in California or "The Lord of the Rings" in Japan. Her passion for literature and storytelling has left a significant mark on the world of children's and fantasy literature.