An American novelist, critic, public speaker, essayist and columnist. He writes in several genres but is known best for science fiction. His novel Ender's Game (1985) and its sequel Speaker for the Dead (1986) both won Hugo and Nebula Awards, making him the only author to win both of SF's top US prizes in consecutive years.

A great-great-grandson of Brigham Young, he is a practicing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In addition to producing a large body of fiction works, he has also offered political, religious and social commentary in his columns and other writing. His views on homosexuality, including his opposition to same-sex marriage, have drawn controversy.