Alice Oseman is an amazing young author, illustrator and story-teller that is making a huge name for herself! You’ve probably already heard of her books and the Netflix show Heartstopper, but there’s a lot more to this amazing writer than you might expect!

Her books are loved by her fans for their honest depiction of LGBTQ life, and the ups and downs of teenage years. But read on, and we’ll explain exactly what it is about Alice Oseman that makes her so great!

For more great book stuff, check out these Dav Pilkey facts, these Michael Rosen facts, and even these Jacqueline Wilson facts! Book facts for everyone! Wahoo!

1. She started writing really early!

Alice Oseman published her first novel, Solitaire, at just 19 years old. She wrote it while she was still a student at Durham University! Alice’s age makes her stories more believable for a younger audience, and has meant she really understands what her fans are going through!

2. Solitaire was her big break

Solitaire was the debut novel that introduced the world to the Heartstopper characters Charlie and Tori Spring. It’s mostly Tori’s story, but Alice loved Charlie’s character and wanted to explore him more in Heartstopper. Fans immediately loved Charlie as well, leading Alice to write Heartstopper, a comic about his relationship with Nick Nelson.

3. She does all the drawing herself, too!

Alice’s work as the illustrator of Heartstopper is impressive because she taught herself how to draw specifically for the comic! She was originally a writer not a cartoonist, but she decided to learn illustration to bring her story to life in a way that was true to herself. And clearly she did a great job!

4. Heartstopper Began as a Webcomic

Alice first launched Heartstopper as a webcomic on Tumblr and Tapas in 2016, publishing it page-by-page. The response was so positive that she eventually took the comic to Kickstarter to fund a print edition. With the support of dedicated fans, Heartstopper became a published series, bringing the sweet, slow-burn romance between Nick and Charlie to a much bigger audience. And it didn’t stop there!

5. Alice Oseman Can Do It All!

As well as writing the stories and illustrating them – Alice is also a musician! She has even created playlists for her characters and scenes, giving readers a soundtrack to their stories. For example, her Heartstopper playlist features artists like Charli XCX and Pink Pantheress!

6. She’s an LGBT icon

Alice, who identifies as aromantic asexual, makes sure to features lots of different sexualities and identities in her work. For example, her novel Loveless explores the struggles of Georgia, a young woman coming to terms with her asexuality (that is, not finding anyone sexually attractive). Alice’s talent for writing about these complicated and sensitive things is one of the reasons her books are so popular!

7. Heartstopper on Netflix

As Alice’s work became more popular Heartstopper was adapted into a Netflix series, with Alice herself doing a lot of the writing and creative direction. Her involvement made sure that the show stayed true to the comic’s spirit. The series has got a lot of praise for its realistic take on young queer love, mental health themes, and for casting actors who perfectly match Alice’s characters.

8. Small Town Author

Alice grew up in Kent, England, and her small-town upbringing is often reflected in her books. The setting of quiet, suburban English towns makes her stories relatable and true to the real world she grew up in. The British cultural references might not be glamourous, but they show that these tales of love are above all, very normal!

9. She’s super relatable

Because Alice started writing so young, her work is really relatable! She got her first book published in her teens, so absolutely understands what it’s like to be a teenager in the 2020s. The way she talks about stress, exams and friendship trouble is all based on her own experiences, which makes it all the more believable!

10. She loves to travel

The tough parts of teenage life aren’t her only inspiration, and her love of travelling is also a big influence on her books! In I Was Born for This, the story follows a young adult who suddenly becomes a big rock star! The story is a bittersweet tale of fame and dealing with fans and touring at a young age. As a famous writer this is something she understands well – even if she isn’t stage-diving at 3am!

11. Mental Health

Alice’s novels often deal with mental health themes in a sensitive and insightful way. In Solitaire, Tori’s struggle with depression is shown honestly, while Heartstopper tackles Charlie’s experiences with anxiety and self-acceptance. By talking about mental health openly and without shame, Alice’s work reaches out to readers who might have struggled with these things too!

12. She loves dogs!

Alice is known for her love of dogs and has posted about it on social media. This love of pets comes through in Heartstopper, where Nick Nelson’s cute dog Nellie is a big part of the story. Alice’s books are full of little details like this that make the characters more relatable, and anyway – why wouldn’t you put dogs in your story?

13. She knows her stuff

Alice studied English Literature at university, and her academic background had a big effect on her. Her novels include philosophical themes and deep, profound questions that shows she’s thought not just about the storyline, but what growing up might mean in the widest possible way. This is a long way of saying that yes – she’s pretty brainy!

14. She’s written a LOT!

At a young age, Alice has already written a lot of novels, including Radio Silence, I Was Born for This, and Loveless. Each book touches on friendship, identity, mental health, and self-discovery. Most writers spend years and years trying to discover their style, and often struggle to make their books a success. But Alice’s work grabbed the book world’s attention almost immediately!

15. The best is yet to come

Alice’s writing career has got off to an amazing start – but she’s not going to slow down! After the success of her Netflix we’re excited to see what comes next! More books? TV shows? What about movies? Whatever the future has in store for Alice we’re all here for it!