Scott Lynch is a renowned American author, best known for his fantasy novels, with his Gentleman Bastard series being particularly popular. Lynch was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1978, and was the eldest of three brothers. He spent his childhood in Minnesota before moving to Western Wisconsin in recent years. Lynch was educated at Woodbury High School and later attended Miskatonic University in Arkham.
Before becoming a successful author, Lynch had a variety of jobs, including working as a dishwasher, waiter, web designer, freelance writer, office manager, busboy, and prep cook. He has also been a volunteer firefighter since 2005, having received his training from Anoka Technical College. Lynch is known to be an active participant in fantasy message boards and considers himself a "geek of all trades," with interests in films, history, classic Macs, gaming, literature, and game design.
Lynch's first novel, "The Lies of Locke Lamora," was published in 2006 by the Gollancz imprint in the UK and the Bantam imprint in the US. The novel was purchased by Simon Spanton of Orion Books in 2004. Lynch's work has received several award nominations, including for the World Fantasy Award, the Locus Award, the Campbell Award, and the Compton Crook Award. In 2008, he received the Sydney J. Bounds Best Newcomer Award from the British Fantasy Society.
Lynch has experienced significant life changes, including the end of a marriage in 2010 and the addition of a new pet, a cat named Muse. He is currently in a relationship with the celebrated SF/F writer Elizabeth Bear, who lives in Massachusetts. In May 2019, Lynch completed a draft of his next Gentleman Bastard novel, "The Thorn of Emberlain."