Jay Asher (born 1975 in Arcadia, California) is an American writer of young adult fiction. He is best known for Thirteen Reasons Why, a bestseller that became one of the most widely read novels in its genre.
He studied at Cuesta College and at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where he left during his junior year to focus on writing. For years he tried to build a career writing picture books while supporting himself with jobs at a shoe store, in libraries and in bookshops, experiences he has said shaped his writing.
His 2007 novel became a New York Times bestseller and earned five stars from Teen Book Review, along with praise from fellow authors such as Ellen Hopkins and Chris Crutcher. His style is plain and direct, and his stories often follow teenagers caught in emotional crises, exploring misunderstandings, second chances and forgiveness. He has also written humorous novels for middle school readers.
In 2017 the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators expelled him after anonymous complaints of sexual misconduct. Asher admitted to affairs with some members but maintains they were consensual and that he left the organization voluntarily. His defamation lawsuit against the society was dismissed. His legacy is tied both to Thirteen Reasons Why, which dealt with teenage suicide, and to a controversy that has shadowed his reputation.
Key works
- Thirteen Reasons Why (2007)
- The Future of Us (2011), co-written with Carolyn Mackler
- What Light (2016)
- Sunny Boy: More Than a Family Story (2017), memoir
Curiosities
On screen
The novel inspired a Netflix series released on March 31, 2017, with Selena Gomez serving as executive producer.
A television inspiration
Asher is a fan of the series My So-Called Life, which he has named as his greatest inspiration for his writing.
Original Filopedia text based on Wikipedia (es) and Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.