Jandy Nelson is an accomplished American author known for her profound storytelling and captivating characters. Prior to embarking on her literary journey, Nelson dedicated 13 years to the world of publishing as a literary agent at Manus & Associates Literary Agency, nurturing the talents of many exceptional writers.

Nelson's educational background is as impressive as her professional one. She is an alumna of Cornell University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts. Her passion for writing and poetry led her to pursue multiple Master of Fine Arts degrees, including one from the prestigious Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Nelson's literary career skyrocketed with the success of her New York Times bestselling novels, I'll Give You the Sun and The Sky Is Everywhere. The former not only won her the prestigious Printz Award but also the Bank Street's Josette Frank Award, and was honored as a Stonewall Book Award. Both novels have been celebrated as YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults and have appeared on numerous 'best of the year' lists, including those of the New York Times, Time Magazine, and NPR.

Her love for literature extends beyond her own writing as she cherishes a diverse range of books and authors. Nelson's favorites span across genres and include One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf, Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, and Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. She is also an enthusiast of poetry, admiring the works of Pablo Neruda, Anne Carson, and ee cummings, among others.

An ardent teacher and a perpetual student, Nelson's interests are as varied as her talents. She contemplates further education in art history and religion and enjoys sharing her knowledge through teaching.

When not immersed in the literary world, Nelson expresses her love for the arts, nature, and the vibrant culture of Northern California, where she has lived for over twenty-seven years. Her apartment, painted in an exuberant orange, reflects her lively spirit and connection to her characters.

Nelson's approach to life and writing is deeply rooted in joy, magic, and the transformative power of love. She aspires to be a source of positivity, much like her character Jude from I'll Give You the Sun, who seeks to bring joy into the world rather than take it away.