Jane Bowles (born Jane Sydney Auer, February 22, 1917 – May 4, 1973) was an American writer and playwright.

Her total body of work consists of one novel, one play, and six short stories. Yet, John Ashbery remarked: "It is to be hoped that she will be recognized for what she is: one of the finest modern writers of fiction in any language." Tennessee Williams described her as the most underrated writer of fiction in American literature.

During her lifetime and since her death in 1973, she has been considered a writer's writer, with a loyal following of intensely devoted readers, although she remains little known to the general public.

Jane was born in New York City, the daughter of Sidney Auer and Claire Stajer Auer. Her childhood was spent in Woodmere, Long Island. After her father's death in 1930, Jane and her mother moved to Europe, where she developed her literary voice.