Veronica Roth, born August 19, 1988, is an American author celebrated for her bestselling "Divergent" trilogy. Raised in Illinois, she developed an early interest in writing, attending Northwestern University's creative writing program. Her debut novel, "Divergent," achieved rapid success, with publishing and film rights selling before its release in 2011. The series has sold over 35 million copies globally and was adapted into a film franchise. Roth's work often delves into young adult dystopian settings, examining societal divisions and individual choices.

Beyond the "Divergent" universe, Roth has penned numerous other young adult and adult novels, including the "Carve the Mark" duology and "Chosen Ones." She has also explored short story formats, often expanding on characters and worlds from her major works. Her writing career began during her senior year at Northwestern, leading to a prolific output of speculative fiction. Roth's literary journey has been marked by significant commercial success and critical recognition, including multiple Goodreads Choice Awards.

Veronica Roth was born in New York City on August 19, 1988, and spent her formative years in Barrington, Illinois. Her mother, Barbara Ross, is a painter, and her stepfather, Frank Ross, is a financial consultant. Roth is of German and Polish heritage. Her maternal grandparents' experiences as concentration camp survivors influenced her mother's detachment from religion, leading Roth to explore Christianity through a high school Bible study. She pursued higher education at Carleton College before transferring to Northwestern University to focus on creative writing. She married photographer Nelson Fitch in 2011, and they reside in the Chicago area.

Roth's literary career gained significant momentum with her first novel, "Divergent," written during her senior year at Northwestern. The book's success was swift, with publishing rights secured before her graduation in 2010 and film rights sold in early 2011, prior to the novel's April 2011 release. The "Divergent" trilogy, comprising "Divergent," "Insurgent," and "Allegiant," has sold over 35 million copies worldwide. The series was adapted into a film franchise by Summit Entertainment, with the first film released in 2014. Roth has continued to expand the "Divergent" universe through short stories and collections, such as "Four: A Divergent Story Collection."

Following the "Divergent" series, Roth has engaged in several other literary projects. She signed deals for young adult novels like "Carve the Mark" (2017) and its sequel "The Fates Divide" (2018). Her later works include "Chosen Ones" (2020), "Poster Girl" (2022), and "Arch-Conspirator" (2023). In 2026, Roth is set to release "Seek the Traitor's Son," the first in an adult dystopian duology. She also announced a return to the "Divergent" world with a new duology, beginning with "The Sixth Faction" in October 2026, which she described as an alternate-universe reimagining of the original story.

“He had a job, and worked far away. Now I have a good relationship with my stepdad.”

“In many ways, [The Sixth Faction] is the culmination of all the work I’ve done, not just on myself, but on my writing. I put everything I learned into this.”