Laini Taylor was born on November 12, 1971, in Chico, California. She grew up alongside her two siblings in a close-knit family. From a young age, Taylor showed a talent for storytelling and a love for fantasy worlds.
After graduating from high school, Taylor went on to attend the University of California, Berkeley. It was during her time at Berkeley that she first began to explore her passion for writing. She took creative writing classes and honed her skills as a storyteller.
After graduating from college, Taylor faced the challenges that many aspiring authors encounter. She struggled to find her voice and to get her work published. It wasn't until over a decade after graduating from Berkeley that Taylor finally saw her debut young adult novel, Dreamdark: Blackbringer, published.
Despite the long road to publication, Taylor's talent was undeniable. Her unique blend of fantasy and folklore captured the imaginations of readers and critics alike. The success of Dreamdark: Blackbringer paved the way for Taylor to continue writing and publishing more books in the young adult fantasy genre.
It was Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone fantasy series that truly catapulted her to fame. The series garnered critical acclaim and a devoted following of readers. Taylor's vivid imagination and intricate world-building drew readers in and kept them hooked until the final page.
In addition to the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, Taylor also wrote the Faeries of Dreamdark books, further solidifying her place as a prominent figure in the young adult fantasy genre. She even collaborated with her husband, artist Jim Di Bartolo, on a graphic novel titled The Drowned.
Taylor's talent and hard work have not gone unnoticed. Her 2009 work, Dreamdark: Silksinger, won the prestigious Cybil Award. Additionally, her first two Daughter of Smoke and Bone books were named Best Teen Books by Amazon.com, further solidifying her reputation as a top author in the young adult fiction world.
Outside of her writing career, Taylor leads a fulfilling personal life. She and her husband Jim Di Bartolo settled in Portland, Oregon, where they have built a life together. The couple welcomed a daughter named Clementine, adding another chapter to their love story.
In 2012, Hollywood producer Joe Roth signed on to create a film based on Taylor's first Daughter of Smoke and Bone novel. This exciting development opened up a new chapter in Taylor's career, as her work was brought to the big screen for a whole new audience to discover and enjoy.
As Taylor continues to write and create, her fans eagerly await her next masterpiece. With her boundless imagination and storytelling prowess, there is no doubt that Laini Taylor will continue to captivate readers for years to come.