Cindy Pon was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and her family immigrated to California in 1980, settling in the suburbs of Los Angeles. She began writing stories before she was officially declared English proficient. She received her bachelor's from the University of California, San Diego, and also earned a master's from New York University. She is a student of Chinese brush painting, and her love for the art is reflected in her storytelling. Cindy lives with her husband and two small children in San Diego, California.