Namina Forna is a Sierra Leonean-American author best known for her New York Times bestselling young adult fantasy series, The Gilded Ones. Born in Sierra Leone, she moved to the United States at the age of nine and has maintained strong connections with her roots while living and working in the U.S. Namina holds an MFA in Film and Television Production from the University of Southern California and a BA from Spelman College.

Currently working as a screenwriter in Los Angeles, she is passionate about storytelling that centers on fierce female leads and explores themes of feminism and social justice. Her books have been translated into over 25 languages and have received acclaim for their powerful narratives.