Marissa Meyer, born in 1984, is an American author whose literary career is significantly shaped by her fascination with fairy tales. This passion, cultivated from her childhood and influenced by media like "Sailor Moon," directly informs her creative output. Meyer holds degrees in Creative Writing and Children's Literature from Pacific Lutheran University and a Master's in Publishing from Pace University.

Before achieving widespread recognition, Meyer honed her writing skills over a decade by creating "Sailor Moon" fan fiction under the pseudonym Alicia Blade. She also worked professionally as a book editor and proofreader. Her debut novel, "Cinder" (2012), the first in "The Lunar Chronicles" series, was inspired by a National Novel Writing Month project and a dream about a cyborg Cinderella. This series reimagines classic fairy tales within a dystopian science fiction setting and became a New York Times bestseller. Meyer has since expanded her bibliography with other young adult series like "Renegades," inspired by superheroes, and standalone novels, often drawing from familiar story archetypes.

Marissa Meyer's writing career is deeply rooted in her lifelong admiration for fairy tales. This influence is evident throughout her bibliography, most notably in her "Lunar Chronicles" series, which reimagines classic stories such as "Cinderella," "Little Red Riding Hood," "Rapunzel," and "Snow White" within a futuristic, dystopian science fiction framework. Meyer has stated that her childhood love for fairy tales and animated series like "Sailor Moon" were significant inspirations for her breakout novel, "Cinder." This thematic focus on familiar narratives, recontextualized for a young adult audience, has become a hallmark of her work, resonating with readers and leading to critical and commercial success.

Prior to publishing her original novels, Meyer dedicated ten years to writing "Sailor Moon" fan fiction under the pen name Alicia Blade. This extensive period of fan-based writing, she has explained, served as a crucial apprenticeship, providing invaluable practice in narrative craft, offering immediate reader feedback, and teaching her the importance of accepting criticism. Alongside her fan fiction endeavors, Meyer pursued formal education, earning a Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing and Children's Literature, followed by a Master's in Publishing. Her professional background also includes experience as a book editor and freelance typesetter and proofreader, experiences that likely informed her understanding of the publishing industry and the mechanics of book production before she became a published author herself.

Meyer's professional writing career launched with "Cinder" in 2012, the first installment of "The Lunar Chronicles." This series, a blend of young adult dystopian science fiction and fantasy, achieved significant success, becoming a New York Times bestseller and selling hundreds of thousands of copies. Following this, she explored other genres and themes, including a young adult series inspired by superheroes titled "Renegades," which also debuted on the New York Times bestseller list. Her standalone novels, such as "Heartless," a reimagining of the Queen of Hearts from "Alice in Wonderland," and "Gilded," based on the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale, further demonstrate her versatility. Meyer also hosts a podcast, "The Happy Writer," where she interviews authors.