Picture a sharp-witted American storyteller who penned a bestselling novel as a teenager and later tackled Hollywood’s murky power dynamics with razor-sharp prose—meet Isabel Kaplan! This Harvard and NYU alum has carved a unique path, blending her love for literature, politics, and social commentary into fiction that’s as thought-provoking as it is page-turning. From her debut Hancock Park to her critically acclaimed NSFW, Kaplan’s work captures the messy, glittering worlds of privilege, ambition, and integrity.
The Making of Isabel Kaplan
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Isabel Kaplan grew up in the shadow of Hollywood’s elite, an environment that would later fuel her incisive storytelling. The daughter of Susan Estrich and Marty Kaplan, she was steeped in a world of ideas and influence from a young age. At just 16, while still a high school student, she wrote Hancock Park, a novel that became an LA Times bestseller. Kaplan went on to study English at Harvard, graduating in 2012, and later earned an MFA in creative writing from NYU, honing her craft for character-driven, socially conscious narratives.
Her early career wasn’t limited to writing. Kaplan dipped her toes into television, working in drama development at Fox Broadcasting Company on shows like Empire and Scream Queens. This insider perspective on Hollywood’s high-stakes culture would later inform her adult debut, NSFW. Meanwhile, her passion for politics led her to co-found Project 100, an organization dedicated to electing progressive women to Congress, showcasing her commitment to real-world impact.
Isabel Kaplan’s Unforgettable Stories
Kaplan’s debut, Hancock Park (2009), introduces Becky Miller, a 16-year-old navigating the gilded yet flawed world of LA’s elite. Written when Kaplan herself was a teenager, the novel’s authentic voice and biting humor earned praise, with People magazine calling it a “perfect poolside read” and School Library Journal dubbing Kaplan “an author to watch.” Its exploration of privilege and personal struggle set the stage for her signature style: witty, empathetic, and unflinchingly honest.
In 2022, Kaplan released NSFW, a national bestseller and finalist for the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize. This darkly humorous novel follows an unnamed young woman climbing the ranks of a pre-#MeToo television network, confronting sexism, complicity, and moral gray areas. TIME called it “gripping” and “excellent book-club fodder,” while Zakiya Dalila Harris praised its ability to both “giggle” and “gut” readers. Kaplan’s prose shines with sharp dialogue and keen observations, reflecting her knack for exposing power dynamics without preaching.
Beyond novels, Kaplan’s writing extends to essays, including the viral Guardian piece “My boyfriend, a writer, broke up with me because I’m a writer,” which sparked conversations about gender and creative rivalry. Her work in outlets like The New York Review of Books and HuffPost further showcases her versatility, blending personal insight with cultural critique.
Why Isabel Kaplan Matters
Isabel Kaplan’s impact lies in her ability to weave entertainment with social commentary, making readers laugh, cringe, and reflect in equal measure. Her fiction tackles timely issues—gender inequality, privilege, and the cost of ambition—while remaining accessible and engaging. Through Project 100, she’s also left a mark on politics, advocating for women’s representation in a male-dominated sphere. Kaplan’s voice resonates with readers who crave stories that mirror the complexities of modern life, earning her a growing fanbase and critical acclaim.
As a young author with a multifaceted career, Kaplan represents a new generation of writers who blend art and activism. Her work challenges readers to question the systems around them, all while delivering narratives that are impossible to put down. With a second novel in the works, her influence is only set to grow.
- Born: Los Angeles, California
- Key Works: Hancock Park (2009), NSFW (2022)
- Education: Harvard (BA, 2012), NYU (MFA, Creative Writing)
- Notable Achievement: Co-founder of Project 100
Snag NSFW or Hancock Park and dive into Isabel Kaplan’s witty, incisive world—your bookshelf will thank you!