Tamora Pierce

Tamora Pierce is a bestselling American author, well-known for her Young Adult fantasy novels. She is particularly recognized for her creation of the Tortall universe and Circle universe novels. Pierce's unique name is due to a spelling error by the nurse who filled out her birth certificate. Raised in a family of limited means in rural Pennsylvania, Pierce developed a love for books from a young age, which was nurtured by her father who encouraged her to write down the stories she used to tell herself.

Pierce's writing career began in earnest in the 1970s, during her time at the University of Pennsylvania. She was inspired by The Lord of the Rings trilogy and began writing her Song of the Lioness series. Pierce's writing is heavily influenced by Sir David Attenborough nature documentaries, fantasy novels, and Arthurian legend. In addition to her successful writing career, Pierce has also been a strong advocate for diversity and representation in literature, particularly in the fantasy genre. She has been open about her own experiences as a woman and a writer in the male-dominated fantasy genre and has been a mentor to many aspiring writers.