Born in 1966 in Jiyuan, Henan Province, Li Er is a novelist and short story writer. He plays a significant role in China’s avant-garde literature. After graduating from East China Normal University in 1987, he has taught in university for many years, and later became a professional writer. He is now working at the National Museum of Modem Chinese Literature. He is the author of the novels Coloratura and Cherry on the Pomegranate Tree, and has published Li Er's Works (eight volumes). Coloratura was shortlisted for the 6th Mao Dun Literature Award in 2003. In 2010, Coloratura was named one of the Top Ten Chinese Novels in 1979­–2009. His major works have been translated into English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Korean and published overseas.

Li Er won the 10th Mao Dun Literature Award for his latest novel Brother Ying Wu (Ying Wu Xiong).