Shannon
Hale born January 26, 1974 in Salt Lake City, Utah is an American author of
young adult fantasy and adult fiction, including the Newbery Honor book
Princess Academy, the Books of Bayern series, two adult novels, and two graphic
novels that she co-wrote with her husband, Dean. Shannon Bryner was born in
Salt Lake City, where she attended elementary school. She had two older sisters
and a younger sister and brother. She began writing at the age of 10. In junior
high, she participated on the school literary magazine. She attended West High
School, where she cultivated passions for English and drama. She earned a
Bachelor's Degree in English from the University of Utah and a Master's Degree
in Creative Writing from the University of Montana.[citation needed] She took
an 18-month hiatus while in college to serve a volunteer mission for The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Paraguay.