Susan Cooper is author of the classic five-book sequence The Dark is Rising, marking its 50th anniversary this year and the winner of a Newbery Medal, a Newbery Honor Award, and two Carnegie Honor Awards. Born in England, she was a reporter for the Sunday Times before moving to the US.

Her writing includes books for children and adults, a Broadway play, films, and Emmy-nominated screenplays. In 2012, Susan was given the Margaret A. Edwards Award and in 2013 she received the World Fantasy Award for life achievement. Her most recent titles are The Word Pirates and The Shortest Day. Susan lives and writes in Marshfield, Massachusetts.