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Jay Asher is an American writer of contemporary novels for teens. He has one major publication in the genre of young adult literature.

Background[]

Jay Asher was born in Arcadia, California on September 30, 1975. He grew up in a family that encouraged all of his interests, from playing the guitar to his writing. He attended Cuesta Community College right after graduating from San Luis Obispo High School. It was here where he wrote his first two children’s books for a class called Children’s Literature Appreciation. After high school, he decided he wanted to become an elementary school teacher. He then transferred to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he left his senior year to pursue his career as a serious writer. He married Joan Marie on September 7, 2002. Throughout his life, he worked in various establishments, including as a salesman in a shoe store and libraries and bookstores. Many of his work experiences had an impact on some aspects of his writing.

Career[]

He has published two books to date, Thirteen Reasons Why, a 2007 New York Times best-selling young-adult fiction novel, and The Future of Us, co-written by Carolyn Mackler. He has written several picture books and middle school humor novels. Thirteen Reasons Why has won several awards has received five stars from Teen Book Review and has been adapted into a Netflix Series for 2017. Netflix renewed this for a second season (which would have an advanced look into what happens after the events of the book), a third season and the show has now been renewed for a fourth and final season. It also has received high praise from fellow authors such as Ellen Hopkins, Sherman Alexie, and Chris Crutcher, and Gordon Korman.

Influences[]

  • Asher is a fan of the TV series My So-Called Life. He cites it as a major influence on his work.
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