Libba Bray

Libba Bray is an American author, born on March 11, 1964, and is known for her works in young adult literature. She is best recognized for her novels, 'The Diviners series' and 'The Gemma Doyle trilogy.' Prior to publishing under her own name, Bray wrote romance novels under a pseudonym. Her novel 'Going Bovine,' published in 2009, won the Michael L. Printz Award for literary excellence in young adult literature.

Bray was born in Alabama and lived in Texas until she was 26 years old. She then moved to New York City with $600 and a punchbowl, which she used as an end table for two years. Bray's father was a Presbyterian minister, making her a Preacher's Kid, or P.K. as she refers to it. Bray's first story was written in sixth grade and was about a girl whose family is held hostage by bank robbers. She named the novel 'HELP' and included colored pencil illustrations of manly-looking, bearded criminals smoking. Bray's favorite word is 'redemption' and her least favorite word is 'maybe.' She has an artificial left eye, which she lost in a car accident when she was eighteen. Bray enjoys being scared and has a love for theatre, having grown up doing theatre and spending a long time as a playwright.

In addition to her love of writing, Bray enjoys listening to music, naming some of her favorite bands as The Clash, The Who, Aretha Franklin, Tori Amos, and Elvis Costello. She also enjoys watching movies, with some of her favorites being 'All About Eve,' 'Brazil,' 'Blade Runner,' 'Spinal Tap,' 'Citizen Kane,' 'Harold & Maude,' 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' and 'Singin' in the Rain.' Bray is married and got married in Florence, Italy. She is one of those people who has to write, as she feels itchy and depressed if she doesn't write. Bray is also a fan of scary stories and has a background in theatre, having grown up doing theatre and spending a long time as a playwright.