Rita Carla Francesca Monticelli was born in Carbonia, Italy. She has lived in Cagliari since 1993, earning a degree in biology and working as a writer, researcher, scientific and literary translator, and freelance web copywriter. Monticelli has authored L'isola di Gaia (The Isle of Gaia), Affinità d'intenti (Kindred Intentions), and the science fiction series Deserto rosso (Red Desert), which is also available in English. The Mentor is her sixth book.