Soman Chainani (born 1979) is an American author and filmmaker, best known for his New York Times bestselling fantasy novel series The School for Good and Evil. His works are primarily aimed at young adult readers and often explore themes of good versus evil, identity, and the subversion of classic fairy tale tropes.
Early Life and Education Chainani was born and raised in Miami, Florida, to Indian immigrant parents. He attended Harvard University, where he graduated with a degree in English and American Literature and Language. Following his undergraduate studies, he pursued a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in film directing from Columbia University. During his time at film school, his short films were screened at various film festivals.
Career Chainani initially embarked on a career in filmmaking, directing several short films that garnered attention at festivals such as the Tribeca Film Festival and the Austin Film Festival.
His literary career took off with the publication of his debut novel, The School for Good and Evil, in 2013. The book marked the beginning of a highly successful fantasy series, which quickly became a New York Times bestseller. The series gained a significant following for its imaginative world-building, intricate plot, and morally ambiguous characters. It has been translated into over 30 languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide.
The popularity of The School for Good and Evil led to a major motion picture adaptation by Netflix, which was released in 2022 and directed by Paul Feig. Chainani served as an executive producer on the film.
Beyond The School for Good and Evil series, Chainani has also authored other works, including Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales (2021), a collection of reimagined fairy tales.
Works
- The School for Good and Evil series:
- The School for Good and Evil (2013)
- A World Without Princes (2014)
- The Last Ever After (2015)
- Quests for Glory (2017)
- A Crystal of Time (2019)
- One True King (2020)
- Rise of the School for Good and Evil (Prequel, 2022)
- Companion Books:
- The EverNever Handbook (2018)
- Other Novels:
- Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales (2021)