Cecily von Ziegesar is an American author best known for the young adult Gossip Girl books, which was made into the eponymous popular television series. Born and raised in New York City, as a child von Ziegesar intended to become a ballerina and also briefly studied creative writing at the University of Arizona. In addition to the Gossip Girl books, she has also written an in-series parody, Psycho Killer, and a spin-off book series Gossip Girl: The Carlyles. The second book series credited to von Ziegesar, The It Girl, was written by a ghost writer with her outlines and guidance.