Jennette McCurdy Releases Provocative Debut Novel ‘Half His Age’
LOS ANGELES, January 20, 2026 – Former child actress turned bestselling author Jennette McCurdy has released her debut novel, “Half His Age,” a provocative exploration of power dynamics, desire, and trauma that continues her tradition of tackling uncomfortable subjects with raw honesty.
From Memoir Phenomenon to Fiction
McCurdy, 33, follows her massively successful 2022 memoir “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” which sold more than 3 million copies and spent over 80 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list. The memoir detailed her childhood with an abusive mother, her battles with eating disorders, and her teenage years as a Nickelodeon star on “iCarly” and “Sam & Cat.” Now, with “Half His Age,” McCurdy ventures into fiction while maintaining the unflinching honesty that characterized her memoir.
The Novel’s Controversial Premise
“Half His Age” follows Waldo, a 17-year-old Alaska high school student who becomes involved in a sexual relationship with her middle-aged, married English teacher. The novel explores themes of age-gap relationships, grooming, and the complex psychology of its protagonist. McCurdy has acknowledged drawing from her own teenage experience with a much older man on the set of “iCarly,” which she described as “creepy” and “twisted” during an appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast.
Key Facts About McCurdy’s Career Transition
| Project | Details |
|---|---|
| “I’m Glad My Mom Died” (Memoir) | Published 2022, sold 3+ million copies, 80+ weeks on NYT list |
| “Half His Age” (Novel) | Released January 2026, published by Ballantine Books, 288 pages |
| Apple TV+ Adaptation | Series based on memoir starring Jennifer Aniston, McCurdy as co-showrunner |
| Film Adaptation | McCurdy has written script for “Half His Age” film, hopes to direct |
Creative Control and Personal Connection
McCurdy emphasizes maintaining creative control over her projects. She serves as co-showrunner for the Apple TV+ adaptation of her memoir, writing all 10 episodes and directing multiple installments. Jennifer Aniston, who shares a personal connection to the material having had “very similar moms” according to McCurdy, will play the author’s mother.
“I am not interested in my stories being taken into somebody else’s hands,” McCurdy stated. “That would be offensive to me.” The author has similarly written a screenplay for a film adaptation of “Half His Age” and hopes to direct it herself.
Therapeutic Writing Process
McCurdy describes writing as a means of processing unresolved emotions from her past. “Writing, for me, is a means of finding closure where maybe there wasn’t in my own life,” she explained. Regarding “Half His Age,” she added, “Several drafts in, I realized, ‘Oh, it’s because I have a lot of unprocessed rage about this.'”
The author, who began acting at age 6 at her mother’s insistence, has fully transitioned to writing, often working 10-12 hour days. “Writing was where I found my voice, and I think, as a result of that, found my power,” McCurdy reflected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “Half His Age” about?
The novel follows 17-year-old Waldo, who becomes involved with her married English teacher, exploring themes of power, desire, and trauma in age-gap relationships.
How does this relate to McCurdy’s memoir?
While “Half His Age” is fiction, it draws inspiration from McCurdy’s own teenage experience with an older man and continues her exploration of complex family dynamics and personal trauma.
What’s happening with the adaptation of “I’m Glad My Mom Died”?
The memoir is being adapted into an Apple TV+ series starring Jennifer Aniston as McCurdy’s mother. McCurdy serves as co-showrunner, writer, and will direct multiple episodes.
Has McCurdy completely left acting?
Yes, McCurdy retired from acting in 2017 and has focused exclusively on writing, finding it more authentic and fulfilling than her acting career.