Selling over 20 million books by October 2022, Colleen Hoover evolved from a social worker in Texas into a dominant presence in modern fiction. Initially writing for her mother to read on a Kindle, she moved from self-publishing platforms to traditional publishing houses, eventually securing spots across the top of the New York Times Best Seller lists.
Early Career and Self-Publishing
Born in 1979 in Sulphur Springs, Texas, Hoover attended Texas A&M University–Commerce, where she earned a degree in social work. She began her writing career in November 2011 with Slammed. Originally intended only for personal use, the book gained traction after a positive review from a book blogger. Following the commercial success of her early titles, including Hopeless, she transitioned into full-time writing.
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Take the IQ test →The Impact of It Ends with Us
Published in 2016, It Ends with Us serves as a landmark in Hoover’s bibliography. Drawing on her own history growing up in a household with domestic violence, the narrative focuses on a protagonist experiencing similar cycles of abuse. The novel gained renewed momentum in 2021 through the TikTok BookTok community, leading it to the top of the bestseller lists. A film adaptation starring Blake Lively was subsequently produced, grossing over $350 million worldwide.
Collaborative and Series-Based Writing
Hoover frequently utilizes series and cross-media formats. Her Maybe Someday series integrated original music by Griffin Peterson, accessed via QR codes or links. She also collaborated with Tarryn Fisher on the project Never Never, which evolved from a series of novellas into a single volume. Her output remains prolific, encompassing multiple standalone novels and interconnected works like the Hopeless and Slammed series.
Fast facts
- Born: 1979, Sulphur Springs
- Citizenship: United States
- Education: Texas A&M University–Commerce
- Debut novel: Slammed (2012)
- Total sales (as of Oct 2022): Over 20 million copies
- Most notable work: It Ends with Us
- Language: English
Questions readers ask
What was Hoover's occupation before becoming an author?
She worked in social work and teaching roles.
Did Hoover have prior professional writing experience before 2011?
No, she began writing her debut novel in 2011 with no initial intention of seeking publication.
Achievements
- Notable work: It Starts with Us
- Notable work: Verity
- Genres: new-adult fiction, thriller and psychological drama film
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