Jacquelyn Mitchard is an American journalist and author. She is best known for her best-selling novel, The Deep End of the Ocean, which was the first selection for Oprah's Book Club on September 17, 1996. This book was named by USA Today as one of the ten most influential books of the past 25 years, second only to the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. The novel was also transformed into a feature film produced by and starring Michelle Pfeiffer.

Mitchard's work often finds its way onto bestseller lists and includes titles such as The Most Wanted, A Theory of Relativity, Twelve Times Blessed, The Breakdown Lane, The Good Son, and Cage of Stars. She is praised for her authentic humanity and command of storytelling, allowing readers to relate to her characters deeply.

In addition to her writing, Jacquelyn Mitchard is a professor of creative writing at the Vermont College of Fine Arts.