Jeff Arch

Jeff Arch grew up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he spent two of his high school years at a boarding school much like the one depicted in ‘Attachments.’ In the 70s, Jeff studied film/tv/theater production at Emerson College in Boston and then moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as a concert lighting designer and toured the country with national rock and reggae acts while teaching himself to write screenplays on the side. When a comedy he wrote opened and closed off-Broadway in the same week, Jeff went into a rebuilding period where he studied tae kwon do with a Grand Master, while teaching English electives in a local alternative high school. In 1989, he sold his business, rented a small office, and gave himself one year to write three screenplays. The second of those – a quirky romantic comedy where the two lovers don’t even meet until the very last page – sold almost immediately, and “Sleepless in Seattle” became a surprise megahit worldwide. For his screenplay, Jeff was nominated for an Oscar, as well as for Writers Guild and BAFTA Awards, among others. His other credits include the Disney adventure film “Iron Will,” New Line’s romantic comedy “Sealed With a Kiss,” and the independent comedy “Dave Barry’s Complete Guide to Guys.” Jeff’s script for “Saving Milly,” based on Mort Kondracke’s searing memoir, earned the 2005 Humanitas Nomination, an honor Jeff treasures.

Jeff has taught master classes and seminars at film festivals, screenwriting conferences, and solo presentations in the U.S., England, Finland, Sweden, Chile, and Australia. He is currently a board member of The Story Summit, an organization for writers, with two annual conferences and an online Story School.

“Attachments” is Jeff’s first novel. He is currently working on “Tiny Houses,” a romantic comedy series for television, about a ghostwriter and her childhood sweetheart, whose heart she can’t seem to keep from breaking.