Tamora Pierce

Tamora Pierce discovered she had a gift for writing when her father heard her telling stories to herself. It was he who suggested she write them down, when she was merely in sixth grade, and the rest is, as they say, history. Tamora, who was a fan of fantasy television shows like Star Trek, was a natural. Reading all the sci-fi and fantasy she could get her hands on, she discovered one thing: most of the books she was reading lacked heroines. Never one to step away from a challenge, Tamora did what she felt she had to, and began writing the stories of the missing female warriors. Growing up in Western Pennsylvania, Tamora did not think she would become an author. She went to Pennsylvania State university, where she majored in psychology, with a goal of becoming a social worker. It was here she once again discovered her love for writing, and began bringing her girl heroes to life once again. And it was in 1983 that her first book, Alanna: The First Adventure was published. Tamora Pierce has since written many fantasy books and finds inspiration for new characters and books wherever she looks.