Bret Easton Ellis

Bestselling Novelist of ‘American Psycho’, Screenwriter of ‘The Canyons’, Host of The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast & Postmodern Literary Provocateur

Bret Easton Ellis’s Biography:

Bret Easton Ellis is an internationally acclaimed novelist, screenwriter and cultural commentator, best known as the author of ‘American Psycho’. Regarded as one of the defining literary voices of his generation, he first emerged as part of the Literary Brat Pack and quickly built a reputation for provocative, uncompromising fiction. As a keynote speaker, Bret delivers sharp, intelligent commentary on culture, creativity and free expression, drawing on a career that has influenced contemporary literature for over four decades.

Born in Los Angeles in 1964, Bret was educated at The Buckley School before attending Bennington College, where he studied music before turning his focus to writing. While still a student, he completed his debut novel, and in 1985 published ‘Less Than Zero’, a controversial bestseller that established him as a bold new literary talent at just 21 years old. The novel’s stark portrayal of disaffected youth in Los Angeles resonated widely and sold tens of thousands of copies in its first year. Bret’s early success positioned him at the centre of a new wave of American fiction and cemented his reputation as a cultural observer unafraid to challenge convention.

In 1991, he published ‘American Psycho’, the novel that would become his most famous and divisive work. Initially condemned for its graphic violence, it was later reassessed as a powerful satire of consumerism and excess, achieving cult status and global recognition. Over time, Bret expanded his creative output, publishing novels including ‘Glamorama’, ‘Lunar Park’ and ‘Imperial Bedrooms’, each exploring recurring characters and metafictional themes. In 2013, he wrote the screenplay for ‘The Canyons’, further demonstrating his range as a storyteller. He is also the Host of ‘The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast’, where he conducts in depth conversations with leading writers, directors and musicians, offering thoughtful analysis of the entertainment industry and modern discourse. In 2023, he released ‘The Shards’, a critically acclaimed novel that marked a major literary return and reaffirmed his status as a leading contemporary author.

Why Hire Bret Easton Ellis?

Event organisers hire Bret for his fearless perspective and cultural insight. He speaks on satire and censorship, the evolution of media, the psychology of storytelling and the complexities of artistic freedom in a digital age. His talks are candid, intelligent and grounded in lived creative experience. For audiences seeking an uncompromising voice with global literary influence, Bret offers a rare combination of controversy, credibility and enduring relevance.

Bret Easton Ellis’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Bret Easton Ellis’s remarkable literary career:

• 2025 – Executive Producer on the FX television adaptation of ‘The Shards’
• 2023 – Published bestselling novel ‘The Shards’
• 2019 – Released nonfiction work ‘White’
• 2013 – Won Best Screenplay at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival for The Canyons
• 2013 – Launched The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
• 2010 – Published ‘Imperial Bedrooms’
• 2005 – Published ‘Lunar Park’
• 1998 – Published ‘Glamorama’
• 1994 – Published ‘The Informers’
• 1991 – Published ‘American Psycho’
• 1987 – Published ‘The Rules of Attraction’
• 1985 – Published debut bestseller ‘Less Than Zero