Born in Dublin, Ireland, Caitlín R. Kiernan moved to the United States as a young child with her mother. Much of her childhood was spent in the small town of Leeds, Alabama, and her early interests included herpetology, paleontology, and fiction writing. She is the author of many science fiction and dark fantasy works including nine novels, many comic books, and more than200 published short stories, novellas, and vignettes. Her noteable works include The Drowning Girl: A Memoir, The Red Tree, and Tales of Pain and Wonder. She has also written numerous scientific papers. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island, with her partner, photographer and doll maker Kathryn A. Pollnac.