Jessica Knoll

Jessica Knoll is a New York Times bestselling author and screenwriter known for her psychological thrillers and contributions to contemporary fiction. Before publishing novels, Knoll began her journalism career as an intern for Parenting magazine in New York City and later served as an articles editor for Self and a senior editor for Cosmopolitan. Her editorial experience provided a foundation in audience engagement, narrative structure, and storytelling techniques relevant to both fiction and screenwriting.

Knoll's debut novel, "Luckiest Girl Alive," became a New York Times bestseller and was selected for Reese's Book Club. The novel centers on TifAni FaNelli, a survivor of sexual assault and a school shooting, and was shortlisted for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best First Novel and nominated for the Dublin Literary Award. The book remained on bestseller lists for several months and sold more than 450,000 copies. Knoll adapted and executive produced the screen version of "Luckiest Girl Alive," which was released on Netflix and starred Mila Kunis. Her original screenplay, "'Til Death," was sold to Amazon and included on The Black List.

Knoll has addressed personal experiences in her writing and public commentary. In a widely read essay for Lenny Letter titled "What I Know," Knoll revealed that the assault depicted in "Luckiest Girl Alive" was based on her own experience at age 15. This disclosure influenced her decision to adapt the novel for film, a process not always undertaken by authors. Her openness has contributed to discussions around trauma and resilience in literature and media.

In her third novel, "Bright Young Women," Knoll explored the aftermath of the Ted Bundy murders at Florida State University, focusing on the victims and survivors rather than the perpetrator. Her research included interviews with Kathy Kleiner, a survivor of the Chi Omega sorority house attack. The novel received positive reviews, including a favorable New York Times Book Review by Patton Oswalt. The rights to "Bright Young Women" were acquired for television adaptation, with Knoll writing the series and serving as executive producer.

Knoll's novel "Helpless" continues her work in psychological suspense. Her books have been published in more than 40 languages, and her writing has appeared in the New York Times, New York Magazine, and Vogue. Knoll is recognized for combining commercial storytelling with social commentary, addressing themes of trauma, power, and women's experiences in both literature and film.