William Paul Young, known as Wm. Paul Young or simply Paul Young, is a distinguished Canadian author celebrated for his compelling novels The Shack, Cross Roads, Eve, and the religious work Lies We Believe About God. His most notable work, The Shack, has garnered significant attention, culminating in a successful motion picture adaptation.

Young spent the early years of his life in the highlands of Netherlands New Guinea (West Papua), amidst the Dani, a tribal group, where his parents served as missionaries. It was there he experienced a cross-cultural childhood. At the tender age of six, he was sent to boarding school, marking a pivotal moment in his upbringing.

The inspiration to write The Shack was deeply personal. Initially, the manuscript was a gift, written solely for his six children and a small circle of friends. After confronting a series of rejections from publishers, Young and his colleagues took a leap of faith and published the novel through their own creation, a publishing company. The novel subsequently rose to prominence, becoming one of the most celebrated fiction books of 2008.

Residing in Happy Valley, Oregon, Young balances his time between writing and family life. He is married, a father to six children, and a doting grandfather. His life's journey, from his missionary childhood to his literary success, continues to inspire readers and audiences around the world.