Brandon Mull, born in 1974, is an American author recognized for his popular children's fantasy literature. His most well-known works include the Fablehaven series, Dragonwatch, The Candy Shop War, the Beyonders trilogy, and the Five Kingdoms series. He also initiated the Spirit Animals series. Mull's writing often explores themes of hidden magical worlds, mythical creatures, and young protagonists tasked with protecting them.

Mull's early life was marked by a vivid imagination, which he nurtured through solitary storytelling. After graduating from Brigham Young University, where he was involved in sketch comedy, he pursued a variety of jobs before finding success in publishing. His first novel, Fablehaven, was published after his employer was acquired by a publishing company. His works have been optioned for film and television adaptations, indicating their broad appeal. He currently resides in Alpine, Utah, and is married with eleven children.

Brandon Mull's literary output primarily resides within the children's fantasy genre, with recurring themes of secret magical sanctuaries and the preservation of mythical creatures. His Fablehaven series, for instance, centers on siblings who discover their grandparents are caretakers of a hidden preserve for magical beings. This exploration of hidden worlds and the responsibilities associated with them is a hallmark of his work. Mull has cited influential fantasy authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and J. K. Rowling as inspirations, suggesting a connection to classic fantasy traditions that often involve quests, moral dilemmas, and the triumph of good over adversity. His narratives frequently feature young protagonists who must navigate complex magical systems and protect the balance between the ordinary and the extraordinary.

From a young age, Brandon Mull exhibited a powerful imagination, often spending hours creating stories and scenarios in his mind without the need for toys. This innate creativity, sometimes a source of distraction in his schooling, laid the foundation for his future career as a storyteller. After attending Brigham Young University, where he was active in the sketch comedy group Divine Comedy and completed a religious mission in Chile, Mull engaged in a diverse range of occupations. These included roles as a comedian, filing clerk, patio installer, movie promoter, copywriter, and even a chicken stacker, experiences that likely informed his understanding of narrative and character. His initial foray into publishing involved an unsuccessful, unpublished novel, but this experience ultimately led him to work in marketing for a film company, which eventually paved the way for the successful publication of his first novel, Fablehaven.