S. E. Hinton (Susan Eloise Hinton) – American author of the late 20th century, best known for The Outsiders and That Was Then, This Is Now. Often called the “mother of YA fiction,” she reshaped literature for teens with her raw, empathetic storytelling. She published her debut while still in high school.
✨ Began writing The Outsiders at 15, published at 18. 📚 Used initials to mask her gender and gain credibility. 🎬 Francis Ford Coppola directed the iconic Outsiders film. 🌍 Her novel became a staple in U.S. schools and was translated worldwide. 💬 Depicted teens with grit, violence, and loyalty, not idealised. 🏆 Honoured by the American Library Association. 📖 Suffered writer’s block after the book’s huge success. 🐎 Loved horseback riding, often featuring horses in her work. 📱 Regarded as the first authentic teenage voice in modern literature. 😲 Believes writing for teens is harder than for adults. 🙂 Jokes she still gets letters from students asking if the Greasers were real.