Patricia Nead Elrod is an American novelist born in Texas in 1954. She specializes in urban fantasy and has written across multiple genres including mystery, romance, paranormal, and historical fiction, with at least one work in comedic fantasy. Beyond her work as a novelist, Elrod has established herself as an editor, working on several collections for major publishers including Ace Science Fiction, DAW, Benbella Books, and St. Martin's Griffin. She has also self-published a signed, limited edition novel through her own imprint, Vampwriter Books.