H. S. Green

John Michael Green, born in 1977, is an American author and YouTube personality renowned for his significant impact on young adult fiction. His books have achieved widespread success, with over 50 million copies sold globally. Green's literary career began with "Looking for Alaska" (2005), which earned him the prestigious Michael L. Printz Award. He followed this with "An Abundance of Katherines" (2006) and a series of collaborative works and solo novels, including "Paper Towns" (2008) and "The Fault in Our Stars" (2012). The latter became a global phenomenon, leading to numerous adaptations and cementing Green's status as a major literary figure. Beyond his fiction, Green has explored deeper personal themes in works like "Turtles All the Way Down" (2017), which directly addresses his struggles with anxiety and OCD. He also ventured into non-fiction with "The Anthropocene Reviewed" (2021), adapting a podcast that critically examines aspects of the human era. His online presence, particularly the "Vlogbrothers" YouTube channel co-created with his brother Hank, has fostered a large community and various charitable initiatives. Green has also been recognized for his advocacy in global health.

Born in Indianapolis in 1977, John Michael Green's early life involved several family moves, eventually settling in Orlando, Florida. He attended boarding school in Alabama, later graduating from Kenyon College with degrees in English and religious studies. His initial post-graduation path included a period as a student chaplain at a children's hospital, an experience that profoundly impacted him, leading him to reconsider his aspirations and ultimately inspiring his writing career. Green has spoken openly about his lifelong struggles with severe anxiety and obsessive–compulsive disorder, which have informed the thematic depth of his later works. His experiences with bullying during high school also contributed to his introspective writing style.

Green's professional writing journey began at Booklist magazine, where he reviewed numerous books and honed his craft. His debut novel, "Looking for Alaska" (2005), a coming-of-age story set in a boarding school, received critical acclaim and the Michael L. Printz Award, significantly boosting his career. Following this success, he published "An Abundance of Katherines" (2006). Simultaneously, Green and his brother Hank launched the "Vlogbrothers" YouTube channel in 2007, cultivating a dedicated online community known as Nerdfighteria. This online presence expanded into various projects, including the annual VidCon conference and the educational channel Crash Course, demonstrating Green's multifaceted engagement with digital media and community building.

The publication of "The Fault in Our Stars" in 2012 marked a pivotal moment in Green's career, achieving massive commercial and critical success and leading to film adaptations. This novel, alongside others like "Paper Towns" (2008) and collaborative works, solidified his reputation. In subsequent years, Green delved more directly into personal struggles with his novel "Turtles All the Way Down" (2017), exploring themes of anxiety and OCD. He further expanded his non-fiction work with "The Anthropocene Reviewed," initially a podcast and later a book, where he critically examines aspects of the human epoch. Green's influence was recognized by Time magazine, which named him one of the 100 most influential people in 2014.

“I saw that real people like Ilene wrote books; they weren't written in ivory towers.”

“In a publishing world that maybe doesn't have as many long-term relationships as it used to, she invested a lot of time in me before I ever earned a profit. I've never written a book without Julie. I wouldn't know how to do it.”

“probably the purest moment of joy I've experienced. Even when my children were born it wasn't as raw and surprising.”