I'm the bestselling author of six novels, The Wildwater Walking Club, Summer Blowout, Life's a Beach, Multiple Choice, Ready to Fall, and Must Love Dogs, which became a Warner Bros. movie starring Diane Lane and John Cusack.

I was born in Alexandria, Virginia, and I'm one of eight siblings. I graduated magna cum laude from Syracuse University, with a dual major in film and creative writing. After decades of procrastination, I wrote my first novel in my Ford Windstar outside my daughter's swim practice at five in the morning. It was published when I was 45, and at 50 I walked the red carpet at the Hollywood premiere of the adaptation of my second novel. Midlife rocks! I love telling my story, because I think so many women (and a few good men!) have buried dreams like mine. My advice: dust them off and go for it!

A former teacher of physical fitness, including dance aerobics and open ocean rowing, as well as creative writing, I also wrote advertising copy for a now defunct shoe company (not my fault!) and worked as continuity director of a radio station. I live in Scituate, Massachusetts with my husband and dog, though my two borderline adult children and his laundry visit often . I've been a judge for the Thurber Prize for American Humor and the Family Circle magazine fiction contest, and taught master classes for The Tennessee Williams Literary Festival in New Orleans, Cape Cod Writers Center, and Evening@Emory.

I love speaking to groups, and teaching workshops for aspiring writers and women coming into their own at midlife. I love writing novels and feel incredibly lucky to get to do it for a living -- this is the career I almost didn't have!

"The exuberant and charming Claire Cook (ask anyone who saw her at this spring's Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival) is one of the sassiest and funniest creators of contemporary women's fiction - Susan Larson, New Orleans Times-Picayune.

"Claire Cook's characters aren't rich or glamorous -- they're physically imperfect, emotionally insecure, and deeply familiar." - Tom Perrotta

"Claire Cook has an original voice, sparkling style, and a window into family life that will make you laugh and cry." - Adriana Trigiani

"WOW -- I don't know where to start! Thank you doesn't seem to cover it. With that said, I want you to know I am filled with gratitude for you coming to The California Women's Conference and making it such a success...I know you receive countless requests for your time." - Maria Shriver

"Entertaining, delightful, and a ton of fun is the perfect description for Claire Cook. At the Amelia Island Book Festival Claire’s engaging style kept readers spellbound as she shared wonderfully amusing and dramatic stories. Her kindness and generous nature helped to make the festival a tremendous success."