Diana Pharaoh Francis (born c. 1967)^[1] is an American fantasy author and professor, best known for her novels Path of Fate and The Cipher.

Francis grew up on a cattle ranch in Northern California,^[1][2] near Lincoln. She attended Oakmont High School in Roseville, California,^[3] and in 1983, was Honored Queen of Bethel No. 336 in Job's Daughters International at Roseville.^[4]

Francis graduated with a BA from University of California, Davis in 1989,^[3] and then gained an MA from Iowa State University, both in creative writing, and a PhD from Ball State University in literature and literary theory. Her thesis focused on British women novelists (1858–65) and their portrayal of women. She then linked that to British post-colonial theory of controlling native populations in their colonies. She previously taught literature and writing at the University of Montana Western,^[1] and now teaches in the MFA program at Southern New Hampshire University. She lives in Oregon with her family.^[2]

Francis' first book, Path of Fate, was favorably reviewed by Victoria Strauss.^[2] According to WorldCat, this is her most widely held book; it is held in 247 libraries.^[5]