About Jean

Prior to becoming an author, Jean studied dramatic writing at NYU Tisch and earned numerous awards for her work producing television, including a National Daytime Emmy. In 2006, she left the entertainment industry, and driven by a deep desire to reconnect to her faith, moved to Israel to study. She spent five years in rabbinical school, before her chronic illness forced her to withdraw, and her father told her she should write a book—just not a Jewish one because no one reads those. Thankfully, she didn’t listen. The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah is her fifth novel.

Jean is represented by Carolyn Forde and Marilyn Biderman at Transatlantic Agency (literary), Addison Duffy and Jasmine Lake at United Talent Agency (film), and Rob Firing at Transatlantic Agency (speakers).

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For rights inquiries and blurb requests: Carolyn Forde and Marilyn Biderman at Transatlantic Agency

For film and television: Addison Duffy and Jasmine Lake at United Talent Agency

For media inquiries, publicity, and ARCs: Laura Gianino at HarperCollins

For speaking engagements and private events: Rob Firing at Transatlantic Agency

Dubbed “The Queen of Jewish Romance,” Jean Meltzer is the international bestselling author of The Matzah Ball, Mr. Perfect on Paper, Kissing Kosher, and Magical Meet Cute, and the recipient of several writing honors including Amazon Best Romance, Apple Best Book of October, Apple Best Audiobook of the Year, Booklist Top Ten Romances for 2023, and LibraryReads. Passionate about telling Jewish stories in new ways, she is the Founder & CEO of Jewish Joy LLC, the umbrella organization to Jewish Women Talk About Romance Books, The Jewish Joy Book Club, The Jewish Joy Box, and JewishJoyCon, coming 2026. Jean has served as a judge for the National Jewish Book Awards and is a sought-after speaker, sharing how her experiences with chronic illness and disability have fueled her commitment to authenticity and joy. She is the host of the podcast Chronically Fabulous with Jean Meltzer, as well as a founding member of the non-profit The Artists Against Antisemitism.

Prior to becoming an author, Jean studied dramatic writing at NYU Tisch and earned numerous awards for her work producing television, including a National Daytime Emmy. In 2006, she left the entertainment industry, and driven by a deep desire to reconnect to her faith, moved to Israel to study. She spent five years in rabbinical school, before her chronic illness forced her to withdraw, and her father told her she should write a book—just not a Jewish one because no one reads those. Thankfully, she didn’t listen. The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah is her fifth novel.

***

For rights inquiries and blurb requests: Carolyn Forde and Marilyn Biderman at Transatlantic Agency

For film and television: Addison Duffy and Jasmine Lake at United Talent Agency

For media inquiries, publicity, and ARCs: Laura Gianino at HarperCollins

For speaking engagements and private events: Rob Firing at Transatlantic Agenc