Sandra Fenichel Asher was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 16, 1942. As a child, she knew she wanted to do three things: dance, act, and write. Dance lessons began at the age of four. She also began acting in school plays at the age of six, and continued to play parts in amateur productions as she grew older. While she was in grade school, she began to write plays. By the time she was a senior in high school, she had written, directed, and narrated her own productions. Asher received her college degree from Indiana University in 1964 and married professor Harvey Asher the following year. She has written numerous books and plays for young adults and has taught creative writing at several colleges. She lives with her husband in Springfield, Missouri.