Patricia C. Wrede (born March 27, 1953) is an acclaimed American fantasy author, best known for the Enchanted Forest Chronicles and the Lyra series. Her works are celebrated for their humor, wit, and subversion of traditional fantasy tropes, appealing to both young adult and adult readers. Born in Chicago, Illinois, she earned a biology degree from Carleton College before turning to writing. Wrede served as president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) and has been nominated for multiple Nebula and Hugo Awards. Her innovative storytelling has left a lasting mark on the fantasy genre.