Born to a renowned painter in Vienna, Austria, Mercedes Helnwein is 27 years old, and has been writing since she was a teenager. She began working as a writer of fiction in the realm of short stories and shortly after began publishing works in various magazines and literary journals--fiction as well as non-fiction. After moving to Los Angeles in 2000, she began work on Amazing Grace, her first novel, while at the same time beginning to exhibit her drawings. Currently living in Ireland and Los Angeles, Helnwein is now exhibiting her art internationally, as well as working on a second novel.