Lauren Kate, born in 1981, is an American author who writes for both young adult and adult audiences. Her literary career has seen the publication of fourteen novels and one novella, with her works translated into over thirty languages. Her books have achieved significant commercial success, selling more than eleven million copies globally and frequently appearing on The New York Times Best Seller list. Kate's early education included a double major in French Literature and Creative Writing at Emory College, followed by a master's degree in fiction from the University of California, Davis. Before pursuing her writing career full-time, she worked as an editor at HarperCollins in New York City. She is married to Jason Morphew, a poet and singer-songwriter, and they have two children.

Kate's bibliography includes the novel "The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove" and the highly successful "Fallen" series. The "Fallen" series, which explores themes of love between angels and mortals, achieved widespread acclaim, with multiple books in the series reaching the number 1 spot on The New York Times Best Seller list. "Fallen" itself was adapted into a film, and the series has also been adapted into an 8-part TV series. More recently, Kate has ventured into contemporary romance with a trilogy of rom-coms set in a paranormal Los Angeles, and she is slated to release a new fantasy trilogy titled "White Lights" in 2026.

Lauren Kate has established herself as a prolific author with a significant international following. Her body of work, comprising fourteen novels and one novella, has been translated into over thirty languages, demonstrating a broad global appeal. Commercially, her books have sold in excess of eleven million copies worldwide and have consistently featured on The New York Times Best Seller list, accumulating many months on the prestigious list. Her notable titles include "The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove" and the "Fallen" series, which saw several installments, such as "Fallen," "Torment," "Passion," and "Rapture," debut at the number 1 position on The New York Times Best Seller list for children's chapter books and young adult fiction.

Kate's academic background provided a strong foundation for her writing career, with a double major in French Literature and Creative Writing from Emory College, followed by a master's degree in fiction from the University of California, Davis. Her experiences in the "Old South" during her college years in Atlanta reportedly inspired the setting of her "Fallen" series, which is situated in a Civil War-era academy. Kate has also shared personal inspirations for her work, noting that her husband served as the basis for the character Cam Briel in the "Fallen" novels and that her rom-com "By Any Other Name" draws from a personal experience in her twenties involving a breakup while traveling in Italy.

The "Fallen" series, a significant part of Lauren Kate's published work, delves into themes that resonate with an interest in the mystical and supernatural, particularly the complex relationship between angels and mortals. The series' narrative explores back-stories and character arcs, with "Fallen in Love" offering novellas set in the Middle Ages that expand on the lore. The spin-off novel "Unforgiven" further explores characters within this universe. The series' enduring popularity led to film and television adaptations, solidifying its place in popular culture and hinting at an appeal that touches upon spiritual or otherworldly concepts.