John Flanagan was born on May 22, 1944. Before becoming a novelist, he was an advertising and television writer. He also co-created the television series Hey Dad! with Gary Reilly. He writes the Ranger's Apprentice series, which were originally written to encourage his son to read, the Jesse Parker Mystery series, and Brotherband Chronicles. He won the Australian Publishers Association's Book of the Year for Older Children and the International Success Award for Erak's Ransom in 2008. His title Hunters made The New York Times Best Seller List for 2012 and The Royal Rangers made the list in 2013.