Marion Zimmer Bradley (1930-1999) was an American author of fantasy, historical fantasy, science fiction, and science fantasy novels. She is best known for the Darkover series and for The Mists of Avalon, the first book in her Avalon series. Hailed by The New York Times Book Review as "[A] monumental reimagining of the Arthurian legends," The Mists of Avalon was made into a popular television miniseries in 2001.