Maria Semple is an American novelist and screenwriter born on May 21, 1964, in Santa Monica, California. She has established herself in both literary fiction and television. As a novelist, Semple is known for her works This One Is Mine (2008), Where'd You Go, Bernadette (2012), and Today Will Be Different (2016). Her novel Where'd You Go, Bernadette received significant recognition, and she was a recipient of the Alex Awards in 2013. In television, Semple has worked as a writer and producer on numerous shows spanning comedy and drama, including Beverly Hills, 90210, Mad About You, Saturday Night Live, Arrested Development, Suddenly Susan, and Ellen. Her experience across both mediums reflects a versatility in storytelling across different formats.