Kiera Cass (born May 19, 1981) is an American writer of Puerto Rican descent who writes young adult fiction, known for her bestselling The Selection series, first published on April 14, 2012, by HarperCollins. The Selection is a series of five young adult novels set in the fictional country of Illéa, based on a competition in which citizens of Illéa compete for the current king's heir in marriage. Cass was born and raised in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, graduating from Socastee High School and Radford University with a degree in History. She currently lives in Christiansburg, Virginia with her electrical engineer husband, son, and daughter.