Kristin Cashore is a distinguished American author, well-known for her work in the young adult fantasy genre. She is the writer of the Graceling Realm series, which includes the popular books Graceling, Fire, and Bitterblue. Cashore was born in 1976 and grew up in a small village in the countryside of northeastern Pennsylvania, surrounded by cows, barns, and the beautiful views of the countryside from the hilltops. Her childhood home was a rickety old house, shared with her parents, sisters, and several cats.
Cashore obtained her bachelor's degree from Williams College and later earned a master's degree from the Center for the Study of Children's Literature at Simmons College. She has had a varied career, working as a dog runner, a packer in a candy factory, an editorial assistant, a legal assistant, and a freelance writer. Cashore has lived in several places, including Sydney, New York City, Boston, London, Austin, and Jacksonville, Florida, but currently resides in the Boston area.
Cashore's debut novel, Graceling, was published in 2008 and quickly gained popularity, earning recognition as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and winning the prestigious Mythopoeic Award. The book also became a New York Times bestseller. Cashore's subsequent novels, Fire and Bitterblue, have also been well-received, cementing her reputation as a master storyteller in the fantasy genre. Her books are known for their compelling narratives, beautifully realized worlds, and unique characterization, making them popular among readers who enjoy being swept up in a good story.