Barbara Hambly is an acclaimed American author, well-known for her works in the fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and historical fiction genres. She has penned numerous series, such as Darwath, James Asher, and Benjamin January, among others. Hambly's interest in storytelling began in her childhood, with a love for costumes and an early fascination with fantasy books, including The Wizard of Oz and the creative works of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Raised in Montclair, California, Hambly was born to Edward Everett Hambly Sr. and Florence Moraski, alongside her younger brother Ed and older sister Mary. Her academic pursuits led her to earn a Master's degree in medieval history from the University of California at Riverside. Before becoming a novelist, Hambly worked in various capacities, including teaching, modeling, waitressing, technical editing, and even as a liquor store clerk and a karate instructor.
Hambly's career as a novelist took off in 1982 with the publication of The Time of the Dark, the first novel in the Darwath saga, which established her reputation as a serious speculative fiction author. Throughout her career, she has created multiple series, including the Windrose Chronicles, Sun-Cross, and Sun Wolf and Starhawk, and has contributed to the Star Wars and Star Trek series. Moreover, Hambly has gained recognition for her historical novels set in the nineteenth century, such as the James Asher vampire series and the Benjamin January mystery series, which features a brilliant African-American surgeon in antebellum New Orleans.
Hambly's work is characterized by her masterful storytelling, with twisty plots, memorable characters, and rich descriptions. She has a knack for inventing novel words and devices, which has become a hallmark of her writing style. Despite facing skepticism about her ability to break into the field and make a living as a writer, Hambly has proven her critics wrong. She currently resides in Los Angeles, California.