Jesse Kellerman was born on September 1, 1978 in Los Angeles, California. Before going to college, he took a year off to study at a mens religious seminary in Israel. He studied psychology, with an emphasis on evolution and antisocial behavior, at Harvard University and received a Masters of Fine Arts in theater from Brandeis University. He has written numerous novels including The Executor, The Genius, Trouble and Sunstroke. He has won several awards for his writing, including the 2003 Princess Grace Award, given to Americas most promising young playwright.