Michael Cadnum was born on May 3, 1949, in Orange, California. He still resides in California, making his home in the San Francisco Bay area, which also serves as the setting of his young adult (YA) novels. Like many authors, Cadnum recalls writing as one of his first passions. As early as sixth grade he wrote a novel. The work, concerning dinosaurs wrecking vengeance on a village, was never published, but Cadnum told young adult literature critic Patty Campbell that his mother read it and suggested that "I write something cheerful." It was not advice he would heed, as his YA novels are considered "dark"—loaded with random acts of violence which shatter lives. In addition to fiction, Cadnum was constantly writing poetry. He published his first poem when he was only 16 years old.

Cadnum and his wife, Sherina, have been married for 30 years. After...