Matt Dinniman

Matt Dinniman is an author and artist recognized for his contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and LitRPG literature. Dinniman began writing as a child and started his first novel while a senior in high school, which formed the basis of his "The Shivered Sky" trilogy. Although he graduated from the University of Arizona, creative writing classes at Pima Community College played a significant role in his development as a writer, with group critiques cited as a crucial part of his growth.

Dinniman is the author of numerous short stories and a diverse range of books. His artwork, including greeting cards, stationery kits, and calendars, is available in boutique and stationery shops worldwide.

Before writing his breakout series, Dinniman worked at cat shows, drawing illustrations of cats for their owners. During breaks at these events, he began writing short segments of a story on the digital platform Royal Road, where it quickly gained popularity. When cat shows were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dinniman transitioned to writing full-time and began self-publishing through Amazon.

"Dungeon Crawler Carl" is a science fantasy LitRPG book series that follows Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat, Princess Donut, as they compete in a dungeon crawl for an intergalactic reality show. Inspiration for Princess Donut came from a Cat Fanciers' Association event and Dinniman's own cats.

All seven published installments of the "Dungeon Crawler Carl" series have reached the New York Times bestseller list. The seventh book, "This Inevitable Ruin," ranked No. 2 on The New York Times Best Seller List for Audio Fiction, while the fourth book, "The Gate of the Feral Gods," ranked No. 9 for Hardcover Fiction. "This Inevitable Ruin" won the Dragon Award for Best Science Fiction Novel. Books-A-Million named the first entry in the series as its inaugural Book of the Year. The first seven books have sold a combined six million copies. The Wall Street Journal described the series as a comically cosmic adventure series, often laugh-out-loud funny.

Dinniman is known for engaging with his fanbase, allowing Patreon subscribers to vote on certain elements of the story. He has more than 20,000 patrons. Sales of audiobook adaptations have surpassed those of physical and e-book copies, with many fans first experiencing the series via Audible. The entire "Dungeon Crawler Carl" series was listed on Audible's The Top 100 Book Series of All Time. Dinniman's work spans hardcover, paperback, e-book, and audio formats, placing him among leading names in contemporary fiction.

Universal International Studios, in collaboration with Fuzzy Door Productions, acquired the rights to adapt "Dungeon Crawler Carl" into a live-action television series for Peacock. Beyond the flagship series, Dinniman published "Operation Bounce House," a standalone science-fiction novel through Ace Books, which centers on a group of colonists defending their home against a plot to eradicate them from the planet. "Operation Bounce House" also became a New York Times bestseller. Dinniman continues to be a prominent figure in genre fiction, with a global readership and ongoing projects in publishing and television adaptation.