Ursula Vernon is a successful American author and illustrator, best known for her children's books and graphic novels. Born in 1977, Vernon grew up in Oregon and Arizona before attending Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she studied anthropology. Although she initially tried to rebel against her artistic roots, Vernon eventually embraced her creative talents and began her career as an illustrator. She later expanded into writing children's novels, becoming well-known for her Dragonbreath series.
In addition to her work as a children's author, Vernon is also an accomplished artist and illustrator. She has created a wide variety of digital and traditional artwork, including webcomics and freelance illustrations. Her webcomic "Digger" is particularly notable, having won several awards, including the Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story and the Mythopoeic Award for Children's Literature. Vernon is also known for her use of anthropomorphic animals in her work, including the popular character Digger, an anthropomorphic wombat.
Vernon has received numerous accolades for her work, including nominations for the Eisner, World Fantasy, and British Science Fiction Awards. She has also won several Webcomics Choice Awards, the Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story, the Mythopoeic Award for Children's Literature, the Nebula for Best Short Story, and the Sequoyah Award, among others. Despite her success, Vernon remains humble and dedicated to her craft, working full-time as an artist and creator of oddities. She currently lives in Pittsboro, North Carolina, with her husband and several pets.