Jay Asher is a successful American author, best known for his work in young adult (YA) fiction. He was born in Arcadia, California in 1975 and grew up in a family that encouraged his interests in arts and literature. As a child, he explored his creativity through music and writing, even creating picture books and school humor novels in his youth. His passion for writing persisted, and he decided to pursue it as a career, leaving his studies to become an elementary school teacher in order to focus on his craft.
Asher worked various jobs to support himself as he began his writing career, including working in bookstores and libraries, which allowed him to be immersed in literature. He also spent time as a shoe salesman, which he later drew upon for his novel, Thirteen Reasons Why. This book, published in 2007, became a #1 New York Times bestseller and was adapted into a popular Netflix series. Asher's other works include New York Times bestseller What Light, co-authored novels The Future of Us and Piper (graphic novel), and screenplay Christmas in July. His books have been published in over 40 languages, demonstrating his global appeal.
Throughout his career, Asher's work has been recognized with several awards and high praise from fellow authors such as Ellen Hopkins, Chris Crutcher, and Gordon Kormon. Despite his success, Asher remains dedicated to his craft and is currently working on his second YA novel. Overall, Jay Asher's passion for writing and his dedication to his craft have made him a standout author in the YA fiction genre.