Sharon Shinn is an American novelist known for her unique blend of fantasy, science fiction, and romance. Born in 1957, she has published over a dozen novels for both adult and young adult readers. Some of her notable works include the Shifting Circles Series, the Samaria Series, and the Twelve Houses Series, along with a rewriting of Jane Eyre, titled Jenna Starborn.

A graduate of Northwestern University, Shinn works as a journalist in St. Louis, Missouri. She is an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the St. Louis Rams, as well as the TV show Lost. She frequently attends science-fiction and fantasy conventions and had her first Guest of Honor role at ArmadilloCon 26. She was also the Guest of Honor at Capricon 29.

In 2009, Shinn donated her archive to the department of Rare Books and Special Collections at Northern Illinois University. Her novels are so engaging that they are even mentioned in Laurell K Hamilton's novel Obsidian Butterfly of the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series, where the protagonist, Anita Blake, reads Shinn's books to cope with her fear of flying.