Rachel Russell

Rachel Renee Russell is an American author, best known for her popular children's book series, "Dork Diaries." Born and raised in Saint Joseph, Michigan, she is the oldest child in a family of five siblings, including two younger sisters and twin brothers. From a young age, Rachel discovered her passion for writing and even penned the first "Dork Diaries" book as a present for her twin brothers' birthday while she was still in the sixth grade.

After high school, Rachel pursued a career in law and became an attorney. However, her love for writing never waned, and she continued to work on her "Dork Diaries" series during her studies and legal practice. Eventually, Rachel decided to leave her legal career behind and focus on her writing. This decision proved to be a successful one, as "Dork Diaries" became a #1 New York Times Best Selling series and has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, translated into 36 languages.

Rachel's writing is inspired by her own experiences in middle school and partially by those of her two daughters, Erin and Nikki, who also contribute to the series by helping with the writing and illustrations. Rachel's humor and relatable characters have resonated with readers, earning her two Children's Choice Awards and a Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Award nomination for Best Book. In addition, Rachel was the recipient of the 2014 Milner Award for Children's Literature.

Rachel currently resides in Northern Virginia and continues to write children's books that kids love. Her upcoming series, "The Misadventures of Max Crumbly," is set to be released on June 7, 2016. Fans of "Dork Diaries" can visit the series' website to learn more about Nikki's world and stay updated on Rachel's latest projects.