Kelley Armstrong, born in 1968, is a Canadian author primarily recognized for her fantasy novels, though she also writes crime fiction. She began her writing career after transitioning from computer programming, with her first novel published in 2001. Armstrong has authored numerous series, including the popular "Women of the Otherworld," which features a wide array of supernatural beings such as witches, werewolves, and vampires, set against contemporary North American backdrops. Her work often incorporates mystery elements, with protagonists investigating unusual situations. Beyond her fantasy series, she has penned crime novels, including the "Nadia Stafford" trilogy, and has collaborated on young adult and middle-grade fantasy series. Some of her works have achieved bestseller status, and a television adaptation of her "Women of the Otherworld" series, titled "Bitten," aired for three seasons.

Armstrong's writing often falls into the contemporary fantasy genre, a style that blends supernatural elements with modern-day settings. She is particularly noted for her expansive cast of supernatural characters, moving beyond a singular creature type to include witches, sorcerers, werewolves, necromancers, ghosts, shamans, demons, and vampires. Many of her narratives are structured around mystery plots, where the main characters are tasked with solving unique enigmas or unexplained events. The "Women of the Otherworld" series, a significant portion of her work, explores these themes. Within this series, supernatural abilities are typically inherited or acquired from existing supernatural beings. While the series features overarching conflicts and plotlines that develop across multiple books, the focus often remains on the episodic nature of the stories and the personal growth of the characters, rather than a grand battle between good and evil.

Born on December 14, 1968, Kelley Armstrong grew up in Sudbury, Ontario. After earning a degree in psychology from the University of Western Ontario, she pursued computer programming at Fanshawe College, a decision made to allow her more time for writing. She previously worked as a computer programmer before dedicating herself to writing full-time. Her debut novel, "Bitten," was released in 2001. Armstrong has been a full-time writer and parent since 2002. Her success is evidenced by multiple New York Times bestsellers, including "No Humans Involved" and her young adult novel "The Awakening."

“I'm a former computer programmer, but I have escaped my corporate cubicle and hope never to return”