Turning Pages: Author Jenny Smith's Story Includes a Netflix Film

By Mia Morse

For bestselling author and Lake Forest High School alumna Jenny Smith, writing is more than telling stories. What started as using her imagination as a kid has now become a reality: she is able to do something she loves every single day. With 14 published books, ranging from Young Adult Women’s Fiction to Picture Books, she’s written it all with passion and intent. 

Writing has always been an interest of hers. 

"I feel really, really lucky to be where I am and doing something that I love so much," says Jenny Smith.

“I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was a kid, and I always knew that it was something I would do no matter what,” said Smith. “I actually wrote my first novel while at LFHS.”

Having gone to Lake Forest High School, she was surrounded by opportunities and support to pursue her passion. Mrs. Arenson and Mr. Ferry were two high school English teachers she came across who made a lasting impression. Mrs. Arenson was a dedicated source of encouragement for her work. She spent time reading Smith’s binders full of extra stories, and even urged her to enter writing competitions.

“She seemed so certain that I had talent,” Smith said, “which really helped me to believe that, too.” 

Even something as simple as Mr. Ferry requiring his students to recite Macbeth made all the difference in developing her deep love for literature. These teachers are the ones who truly made a difference in her story as an author.

While at Lake Forest, Smith also participated in sports and other activities like The Forest Scout.  Writing for The Forest Scout was a crucial part of her journey, as it helped her realize most of what she truly wanted to do. Having graduated from LFHS in 1999, Smith explained that she originally thought she wanted to be a journalist. Though she enjoyed covering personal features and sporting events, she soon realized that she didn’t love facts nearly as much as she enjoyed making things up. 

After high school, things really started to take off. She attended Colgate University for her undergraduate studies, where she studied English and creative writing. These courses allowed her to continue writing novels and eventually branch into publishing, which is where she is now. 

“Publishing seemed a more sensible way to be involved with books,” she said. “And I feel really, really lucky to be where I am and doing something that I love so much.”

In her career, she has lived in both New York and Los Angeles, where she has continued expanding herself in the publishing branch. While her personal writing style preference is creative, her work can be found in many genres. She has books published in different categories, including children, women, and young adults. 

In more recent years, it’s been a full-circle moment for her to see her work being projected on the screen. 

One of her most well-known novels, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, was published in 2011. This Young Adult novel follows the romantic journey between two young adults after their missed flights and their fated futures. This novel has recently gained attraction again, and in 2023, this bestseller was turned into a Netflix film Love at First Sight.

From notebook paper to big screens, she has come a long way. As her work continues to reach new audiences, it’s clear that the future is bright, and her story is still unfolding. She is an important figure for many aspiring young authors, as her journey demonstrates that hard work does pay off. 

Her next novel has yet to be announced, but it is in progress, so stay tuned. This story first appeared in The Forest Scout.