Since her first novel in 1979, Diane Duane has penned a variety of science fiction and fantasy novels for both adults and children. A prolific author, she plans each of her books far in advance, and dedicates a great deal of time to researching her science-based plots. Called "not only highly talented but highly unpredictable" by Jessica Yates in Twentieth-Century Young Adult Writers, Duane's diverse output is characterized by imaginative plots, strong, well-rounded male and female characters, and a firm grounding in such time-honored virtues as beauty, heroism, and loyalty.

"My childhood was essentially quite boring and sometimes rather unhappy," Duane once commented, "but the unhappiness was tempered with a great love of books and writing in general. I have been writing for almost as long as I've been reading. This started out as an expression of discontent ... the library simply didn't stock enough of the kinds of books...