Cassandra Clare
#1 New York Times-bestselling fantasy author
Soman Chainani
Filmmaker and New York Times-bestselling author
Photo credit: Chad Wagner & Steven Trumon Gray
Soman Chainani is the New York Times-bestselling author of The School For Good and Evil, the global phenomenon with over 4.5 million copies sold and a hit Netflix adaptation. Also the author of Beasts and Beauty, Coven, and the forthcoming YA geopolitical thriller, Young World (2026), Chainani is a charismatic and empowering speaker who inspires audiences of all ages to tap into their creativity and embrace the transformative power of storytelling.
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About Soman Chainani
New York Times-bestselling author and filmmaker Soman Chainani is a celebrated storyteller. His debut series, The School For Good and Evil, has sold over 4.5 million copies, been translated into 35 languages across six continents, and was adapted into a hit Netflix film starring Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington, Laurence Fishburne, Michelle Yeoh, and more. His debut young adult novel Young World is set to publish in May 2026.
In addition to his writing, Chainani is a dynamic and engaging speaker who has delivered lectures at more than 800 schools worldwide. Chainani’s interactive lectures have audiences feeling like they’re watching a professional show, enthralled with the transformative power of storytelling. Whether Chainani is speaking about his bestselling works or sharing personal and professional insights on creativity, audiences learn how to break away from the status quo, how to challenge personal biases and think critically about the world around them, and how to find purpose.
Chainani’s School for Good and Evil series—comprised of six New York Times bestsellers—follows Sophie and Agatha, two unlikely heroines who upend the rules of good and evil while discovering their true selves. Each of the books in the series—The School for Good and Evil, A World without Princes, The Last Ever After, Quests for Glory, A Crystal of Time, and One True King—debuted on the New York Times bestseller list. The series has stayed on the bestseller list for more than 50 weeks and become a global phenomenon with a passionate fan base across generations.
In 2026, Chainani will unveil a brand-new universe for his readers with Young World, a YA geopolitical thriller. Young World follows 17-year-old Benton Young after a viral video of his inadvertently sparks a global movement, and against all odds, leads him to be elected as President of the United States. Inspired by Benton’s rise, the global youth follow suit until eight of the world’s most powerful nations are also led by teenagers. With breathtaking twists, Chainani’s dynamic new thriller poses the question: What happens when the future truly belongs to the young?
Chainani is a graduate of Harvard University and holds an MFA in film from Columbia University. Currently based in St. Louis, Missouri, Soman travels worldwide to speak about creativity, storytelling, and the future of imagination.
Contact us for more information about booking Soman Chainani for your next event.
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Speaking Topics
On Creativity with Soman Chainani
Join filmmaker and New York Times bestselling author Soman Chainani for an inspiring lecture on unlocking your creative potential and discovering your personal purpose. An engaging and inspirational speaker, Chainani will share more on his personal journey of creativity and how he found his mission through storytelling. Perfect for college students or adults who are looking for deeper motivation and meaning in their work, attendees will learn techniques to harness their creativity, set meaningful goals, and create a fulfilling path that resonates with their true selves.
Young World
Ideal for political unions, high-achieving groups, leadership summits, and more, join New York Times-bestselling author Soman Chainani to discuss his newest work, Young World. This thought-provoking and interactive lecture teaches audiences how to critically analyze the flaws in our existing systems and develop new, innovative solutions, drawing from the themes in his forthcoming book.
The School for Good and Evil
Join New York Times bestselling author Soman Chainani as he discusses his renowned fantasy series, The School for Good and Evil. Perfect for young students, in this energetic lecture, Chainani will delve into the inspiration behind his beloved characters and the fantastical worlds they inhabit. He will share insights into his writing process, and how he weaves together elements of fairy tales, adventure, and moral complexity to create a story that resonates with readers of all ages.
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- Soman Chainani travels from St. Louis, Missouri
Featured Title
Young World
May 5, 2026
From the New York Times bestselling author of the School for Good and Evil series comes a renegade thriller, about a teenager elected President of the United States, sparking a global revolution of young leaders—until one of them is murdered and he’s the prime suspect.
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