Ruth Thomas (born 7 July 1967 in Horsmonden, Kent) is a British writer of novels and short stories.
Thomas studied English literature at the University of Edinburgh, then worked in various administrative jobs in the private and voluntary sector before turning to writing.
Her first collection of short stories, Sea Monster Tattoo, was shortlisted for the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and the Scottish Best First Book of the Year Award.
Her first novel, Things to Make and Mend, was published in 2007 by Faber and won a Good Housekeeping Book Award (Most Entertaining Read).
Rock of Ages from that collection was runner up for the 2009 V. S. Pritchett memorial prize of the Royal Society of Literature.