Ian Slater was born in Australia in 1941 and worked for the Australian navy, as a cipher clerk in that country's Department of External Affairs, and as a defence officer for the Australian Joint Intelligence Bureau. After leaving Australia, he became a marine geology technician with New Zealand's Institute of Oceanography and UBC's Institute of Oceanography. In 1977 he earned his Ph.D. in political science from UBC. As an author and lecturer, he has taught a wide variety of courses in the humanities.
Slater is the author of twenty-three adventure thrillers, including his best-selling Firespill; Sea Gold; Air Glow Red; Storm; Deep Chill; Forbidden Zone; MacArthur Must Die; Showdown; Battle Front; and Manhunt. He is also the author of eleven books in his World War III series. His non-fiction book Orwell: The Road To Airstrip One, a study of George Orwell's social and political thought, has been acclaimed by publications from The Times Literary Supplement to the Washington Post. The latter wrote, "It is doubtful that any book provides a better foundation for a complete understanding of Orwell's unique and troubling vision." However, ABC Book World states, "In Slater's revised version, his new preface contains a true story that Slater was part of and which is at once so moving about the power of one good, brave man and the power of literature to change events that it alone is worth the price of the book."
Slater also served as editor of the UBC academic quarterly Pacific Affairs from 1988 to 2002; has written book reviews for major North American newspapers; worked as a film critic; and written radio dramas and short stories for the CBC. He also wrote the screenplay for the National Film Board's animated film, Flash Point, based on his novel Firespill.