Ian C. Esslemont

Ian C. Esslemont is a highly regarded author of epic fantasy novels. Born in Brandon, Manitoba, and raised in Winnipeg, Esslemont has traveled extensively, including living in Southeast Asia for a number of years. He currently resides in Alaska with his wife, Gerri Brightwell, who is also a novelist.

Esslemont is best known for his Malazan Empire series, which he co-created with Steven Erikson. They originally developed the Malazan world as a backdrop for role-playing games, but it eventually became the setting for their novel series. The Malazan Book of the Fallen series, written by Erikson, and the Malazan Empire series, written by Esslemont, are closely related and take place in the same world.

In addition to the Malazan Empire series, Esslemont has also started the Path to Ascendancy' series, a prequel that provides further back-story to the Malazan world. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Esslemont worked as an archaeologist, a field in which he has a degree. He has also studied Creative Writing and is currently working on his PhD in English Literature.