Stephen Michael Stirling is an American alternate history, science fiction, and fantasy author. Stirling was born in Metz, France on September 30, 1953 to an English mother and Canadian father. He has lived in several countries and currently resides in the United States in New Mexico with his wife Jan. In the past he has frequently collaborated with other authors, including Harry Turtledove, David Drake, Jerry Pournelle, Anne McCaffrey and Raymond E. Feist.