Born in 1924 in Sussex, England, Joan Aiken grew up telling stories. She and her brother exchanged stories about made-up fantasy lands as they walked in the countryside near the family's home. Aiken was fascinated with mysterious places and happenings and loved to read stories by Charles Dickens, an author whose style rubbed off on her, as well as books by Rudyard Kipling, Edgar Allan Poe, and Jane Austen.

Aiken has written more than 40 books for young people and more than 20 books for adults, in addition to numerous short stories. She strives to write material that makes young people think, that treats young people respectfully, and that includes the problems and dilemmas that occur in real life. Aiken says that an "internal monitor" guides her in her writing style. Her two children are her favorite reviewers and critics.