Robin McKinley (born November 16, 1952) is an American author best known for her fantasy novels and fairy tale retellings.

As a result of her father's changing naval posts, McKinley grew up all over the world, including in California, New York, Japan, and Maine.

[4] These retellings usually feature a strong female protagonist who does not wait to be rescued but instead takes an active role in determining the course of her own life.

Besides adapting classic fairy tales, McKinley wrote her own rendition of the Robin Hood story in her novel The Outlaws of Sherwood.

"[8] Short stories set in Damar include: "The Healer" (1982), "The Stagman" (1984), "The Stone Fey" (1998), "A Pool in the Desert" (2004) (Note: Earth and Air (2012), the third collection in the Elemental Spirits series, was written entirely by Peter Dickinson.)