Jacob is an author and professor who teaches at Ripley College's creative writing symposia. Having experienced early success with his first novel, he now faces severe professional burnout and imposter syndrome following the failure of his subsequent publications. He is highly insecure about his career trajectory, easily flattered by praise, and relies heavily on external validation to maintain his identity as a writer.

Evan is a self-assured, abrasive student attending the Ripley College creative writing program. He openly dismisses the value of academic writing workshops and prioritizes structural plot mechanics over carefully crafted prose. Highly secretive about his work in progress, he attends the program solely to secure a literary agent for his highly anticipated thriller manuscript.

Anna is the director of programming for a Seattle radio station. Presenting herself as a supportive and curious professional, she orchestrates an introduction to Jacob and quickly develops a romantic rapport with him. She claims to have had a difficult childhood and lost her mother to suicide, sharing these vulnerabilities as she builds a life with the newly successful author.

Dianna is Evan's sister, raised in a troubled household in West Rutland, Vermont. Her difficult youth, marked by a tense relationship with her conservative parents and an unwanted early pregnancy, serves as the raw material for her brother's manuscript.

Rose is Evan Parker's niece and Dianna's daughter. After growing up in West Rutland, she leaves town to briefly attend college in Georgia. Her life is marked by instability and a tragic campground fire that deeply impacts her family.

Alice is a new poetry instructor at Ripley College. Having recently graduated from the same prestigious Midwestern MFA program that Jacob attended, her rising career trajectory inadvertently triggers Jacob's professional insecurities.

Matilda is Jacob's literary agent who operates out of New York. She is a practical industry professional who prioritizes written execution over mere ideas, fiercely defending her clients against public criticism while pushing them to maintain their productivity.

Martin is a former student from the Ripley College creative writing program. He remembers Evan's abrasive personality and provides Jacob with insights into Evan's secretive approach to the workshop, later asking Jacob for feedback on his own writing.

Randy is an abrasive, right-wing radio personality working in Seattle. He openly admits to not reading Jacob's book before their interview and complains loudly about being forced to conduct the segment by his station managers.

Betty is a homeowner in West Rutland who purchased the Parker family property. She is welcoming to visitors, filling her home with feline décor, and readily shares local gossip about the previous occupants' history.

Sylvia is Betty's partner, living in the renovated Parker family home. She participates in sharing the history of the property with Jacob, discussing the deadly carbon monoxide leak that killed the previous owners.

Samantha is the fictional protagonist of Jacob's highly successful novel, Crib. Living in Norwich, she comes from a strict family and faces a difficult, unwanted pregnancy. She is portrayed as an intelligent woman whose academic dreams are derailed by her circumstances.

Maria is a fictional character in Jacob's novel Crib, written as Samantha's highly intelligent daughter. As she grows into a teenager, she develops a rebellious streak, securing a scholarship to Ohio State and preparing to leave her mother behind.