Elaine Cunningham was born in New York City and resides in a seaside New England town. A former history and music teacher, she continues to pursue both these fields.

Her interests include Celtic and Renaissance music, folklore and mythology, costuming, living history, and travel. Trained primarily as a singer, she has recently taken up Irish fiddle and harp.

Her Star Wars book, Dark Journey, was book 10 in the New York Times bestselling series The New Jedi Order. She is best known, however, for her Forgotten Realms books, most of which focus upon elven characters and culture. Her short stories range further afield, including dark fantasy, historical fantasy, and Arthurian tales.

She lives in New England with her husband and two children.