Delia Owens is an American author and wildlife scientist, best known for her debut novel, Where the Crawdads Sing. Born in 1949, she spent much of her life in the wilderness, which greatly influences her writing. Owens has a background in zoology and has co-authored several non-fiction books about nature and wildlife. In addition to her literary success, Owens has worked as a researcher in Africa, studying animal behavior. Her experiences in the natural world are reflected in her storytelling, often highlighting themes of isolation, resilience, and the beauty of the environment.