You know the stories, you love the characters, but do you know the story behind the writer? Best-selling author Tamora Pierce has written 23 young-adult fantasy novels, in addition to many short stories, articles, and radio plays. Her realistic characters and action-packed plots have made her one of the most popular children's writers, and her books have never been out of print. Pierce’s fictional world is full of teenage-girl warriors, powerful sorcerers, noble quests, fierce battles, and fantastical immortal creatures. All of her novels have one thing in common: they feature strong-minded, female heroines who face life on their own terms and shape their futures to fit their unique skills and outlooks. In a one-volume reference, Tamora Pierce details the life and real-life influences of this famous author, revealing the person behind the words, and the author behind the literature we love.