Alice Oseman

"But books–they’re different. When you watch a film, you’re sort of an outsider looking in. With a book–you’re right there. You are inside. You are the main character."

Alice Oseman is a beloved writer of young adult fiction. She published her first book at just 19, Solitaire, which is filled with her fun, sarcastic take on being a teenager, and includes characters that she later brought back for her immensely popular webcomic Heartstopper. Heartstopper has also been adapted into a television series, which saw Oseman win a BAFTA TV Award nomination and two Children’s and Family Emmy Awards.

Her second novel, Radio Silence, was influenced her own experiences at university, and was named as one of the Bank Street Children’s Book Committee’s Best Books of the Year in 2017. She has also penned I Was Born for This and Loveless.

Meet Alice Oseman

Alice Oseman was born in Kent, England in 1994. She grew up with one younger brother, and attended Rochester Grammar School. She then attended Durham University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature.

She wrote Solitaire during her time at university, and unlike many young authors who get rejections in their early years, the book was published by HarperCollins after a bidding war for it. However, Oseman later spoke about the lack of diversity in Solitaire and talked about the importance of including a cast of characters in her works.

That is part of the reason why her other works, especially Heartstopper and Radio Silence have been celebrated for their LGBTQ+ themes and diversity. She has been lauded for her highly relatable and honest writing style, and Alice herself is asexual, and uses she/her and they/them pronouns.

In 2023, she was named as the Attitude Person of the Year, and won the British Book Awards nod for Illustrator of the Year.

What genre does Alice Oseman write and what themes does she explore?

She writes primarily young adult contemporary fiction (including graphic novels). Common themes are coming-of-age, LGBTQ+ representation, identity, friendship and diversity, delivered in a relatable, honest voice.

What are Alice Oseman's major books and series?

Her major works include the Heartstopper graphic novel series (and related novellas such as Nick and Charlie), and prose novels Solitaire, Radio Silence, I Was Born for This and Loveless.

In what order should I read Heartstopper and its tie-ins?

Read the Heartstopper graphic novels in publication order (start with Volume 1). The novellas like Nick and Charlie are tie-ins and are best read after you know the main characters from the series.

Where should I start if I'm new to Alice Oseman?

If you prefer graphic novels/romance, start with Heartstopper. If you prefer prose novels, try Solitaire (her debut) or Radio Silence (university-set, acclaimed by critics).

Have Alice Oseman's works been adapted or received awards?

Yes. Heartstopper was adapted into a television series, which earned Oseman a BAFTA TV Award nomination and two Children’s and Family Emmy Awards. Radio Silence was named a Bank Street Children’s Book Committee Best Book of the Year (2017), and she has received recognition such as Attitude Person of the Year (2023) and a British Book Awards nod for Illustrator of the Year.