Margaret Owen was born and raised at the end of the Oregon Trail, and has worked in everything from thrift stores to presidential campaigns. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the award-winning Little Thieves trilogy and The Merciful Crow duology, and co-editor of The Grimoire of Grave Fates anthology. Her books have been featured by NPR, Tor.com, Kirkus Reviews, Kids' Indie Next, and YALSA. In her free time, she enjoys exploring ill-advised travel destinations, raising money for social justice nonprofits through her illustrated work, and negotiating a long-term hostage situation with her monstrous cats. She lives in Seattle, Washington.