As many Sweet Valley High series fans know, the hit YA books (and multiple spin-off series) were primarily written by ghostwriters. The Hairpin interviewed one of those writers, Marijuanamerica author Ryan Nerz.

During the interview, Nerz named several successful teen writers who had also worked on the series. This group includes Gossip Girl author Cecily von Ziegesar (editor), Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants author Ann Brashares (editor) and Soho Teen editorial director Daniel Ehrenhaft (ghostwriter).

When asked if he had ever met Sweet Valley author Francine Pascal in person, he answered: “No, Francine Pascal was always like the voice of God from afar. She would occasionally chime in on little things saying, ‘No, Elizabeth would never do this.’ ‘This tone doesn’t really work for me.’ ‘This is too risqué.’ Blah blah blah. She would kind of consult from afar. I never met her.”

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Diablo Cody, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of Juno, is slated to adapt and produce “Sweet Valley High” for the big screen.

According to Variety, the popular YA series by Francine Pascal has already spawned 150 books and 88 television show episodes in the late 1990s. Cody struck her deal with Universal after the studio won a bidding battle with Fox.

Here’s more from the article: “[Universal put out the word last week that it’s not spending money for the rest of this year to advance development projects — unless they’re being fast-tracked or greenlit. Deal comes on the heels of a tepid opening for “Jennifer’s Body,” which Cody scripted.”