Soman Chainani

Soman Chainani is an American author recognized primarily for his popular children's book series, "The School for Good and Evil." He grew up in Florida, later attending Harvard University for English and American Literature, graduating in 2001. During his senior year at Harvard, he publicly came out as gay. Following his undergraduate studies, Chainani pursued a Master of Fine Arts in film at Columbia University. His literary career took off with "The School for Good and Evil," which achieved significant commercial success, appearing on The New York Times Best Seller list and selling millions of copies globally. The series has been translated into numerous languages and was adapted into a Netflix film. Chainani has authored several other books within this universe, including prequels and companion guides, all of which have also reached bestseller status. His collection of retold fairytales, "Beasts and Beauty," also garnered critical acclaim and became a bestseller, with plans for a television adaptation. His work has been recognized with various awards and selections, and some of his books have faced censorship challenges.

Chainani's "The School for Good and Evil" series has achieved remarkable success since its debut, consistently appearing on The New York Times Best Seller list. The series has sold over four million copies worldwide and has been translated into 35 languages, reaching readers across six continents. This popularity led to a major film adaptation by Netflix, which debuted at the top of the charts in numerous countries. Beyond the initial book, Chainani has expanded the series with multiple sequels and prequels, including "A World Without Princes," "The Last Ever After," "Quests for Glory," "A Crystal of Time," and "One True King," all of which have also hit The New York Times Bestseller list. His collection of retold fairytales, "Beasts and Beauty," released in 2021, was met with critical praise and became his seventh consecutive New York Times bestseller, with plans for a television series adaptation.

Chainani's writing often draws from classic fairytale structures, reimagining them with modern sensibilities. "The School for Good and Evil" series, for instance, explores themes of duality and the nature of good versus evil through the lens of a magical academy. His book "Beasts and Beauty" specifically delves into retold fairytales, offering new perspectives on familiar stories. The significant success of his works has led to multiple adaptations into other media. "The School for Good and Evil" was transformed into a major motion picture by Netflix, and his collection "Beasts and Beauty" is slated for a limited television series. Chainani himself has been involved in these adaptations, writing and executive producing projects based on his books. He has also contributed short stories to anthologies such as "Flying Lessons & Other Stories" and "Because You Love to Hate Me."

Soman Chainani's educational background includes a degree in English and American Literature from Harvard University, where he graduated in 2001. He later attended Columbia University to participate in their MFA film program. While growing up in Key Biscayne, Florida, his family was noted as being among the few of Indian descent in the area. He publicly came out as gay during his senior year of college. In addition to his established series and fairytale collections, Chainani has announced his next project, "Young World," a political thriller scheduled for release in 2026, which will explore the election of a 17-year-old as President of the United States. His literary achievements have been recognized with numerous awards and bestseller designations.