Ernest Cline

Ernest Cline is an American science fiction novelist, slam poet, and screenwriter. He was born in Ashland, Ohio, in 1972. As a youth, he was "addicted to video games and movies," especially Star Wars, the movies of John Hughes, and the tabletop roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons. He worked in information technology in his twenties and worked on screenwriting during his spare time.

In 2009, he wrote the screenplay for the film Fanboys. His first novel, Ready Player One, was published in 2011 and became a best-seller. It was adapted into a film in 2018, directed by Steven Spielberg. His second novel, Armada, was published in 2015. His third novel, Ready Player Two, was published in 2021.

Cline is a self-described "geek" and his work often reflects his love of pop culture. He is a popular figure among fans of science fiction and fantasy.