Craig Thomas, renowned for co-creating the beloved sitcom How I Met Your Mother, is set to make his literary debut with the novel That’s Not How It Happened. This eagerly awaited book is scheduled for release on November 4, 2025.
On March 28, 2025, Thomas took to Instagram to announce the exciting news, unveiling the book’s cover while providing pre-order links through major publishers including HarperCollins, HTP Books, and Hanover Square Press. In his post, Thomas expressed his enthusiasm:
“Dear world. I’ve written a novel. It’s my favorite thing I’ve ever written, besides HIMYM. It’s a different kind of love story, but just as personal to me. I really hope you’ll preorder via the link in my bio!”
Craig Thomas is not just a writer; he is also an executive producer known chiefly for his work on the hit CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014), which he co-created with Carter Bays. Besides the iconic sitcom, he has contributed to various television shows, such as American Dad! and The Late Show with David Letterman, and penned scripts for films like The Lego Movie 2 and The Mitchells vs. The Machines.
Beyond television and film, Thomas is musically inclined—he has composed for Sesame Street and is a founding member, lyricist, and drummer for the band The Solids, famed for creating the music for How I Met Your Mother.
Craig Thomas Collaborates with Josh Radnor on Podcast
On March 10, 2025, Thomas joined forces with How I Met Your Mother star Josh Radnor to launch a rewatch podcast named How We Made Your Mother (HWMYM). Produced by Alex Levy, the show aims to dissect every episode of the series while involving numerous special guests, including stars from the original cast.
The podcast revisits the nine seasons and 208 episodes of How I Met Your Mother, which aired from 2005 to 2014, and showcases the journey of protagonist Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) in his quest for love, alongside his close companions—Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris), Marshall Eriksen (Jason Segel), Lily Aldrin (Alyson Hannigan), and Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders).
“The duo will explore, episode by episode, the mystery at the heart of what has made this show so durable and beloved. It’s time — much like the older wiser narrator Ted does in the show — to look back on this adventure that occupied a pivotal decade of their lives: how the show changed them, how it changed its fans, and how it changed the culture.”
As shared in an interview with PEOPLE, the concept for the podcast emerged from Radnor’s wife, Jordana Jacobs, who is a clinical psychologist. Thomas and Radnor express their belief that this venture will both entertain and resonate with fans, years after the show’s initial airing.
Currently, How We Made Your Mother has aired five episodes, with the latest focusing on the show’s pilot. New episodes are released every Monday, with additional content available on Thursdays.
Exploring Craig Thomas’s Novel: That’s Not How It Happened
Amid the podcast developments, Thomas is preparing to captivate readers with his debut novel, which will feature audio narration by former HIMYM actors Josh Radnor and Cobie Smulders. The story follows the lives of Rob and Paige, a couple navigating the complexities of parenthood, particularly related to raising a child with Down syndrome.
“Paige didn’t set out to be a stay-at-home mom, but when her husband’s screenwriting career took off right before they had a son with Down syndrome, the decision was made for her. Now, with their children nearly grown and unsure what’s next, Paige writes a memoir about the challenges of raising a child with a disability.”
“When a major actress-turned-producer shows up at her door eager to make her ‘inspiring’ story into a movie, she’s shocked, excited, and a little terrified,” the synopsis reads.
Through this narrative, Thomas explores the impacts of this film opportunity on Paige’s family, particularly in reviving her husband Rob’s struggling career. The novel also presents insights into the lives of their special needs child, Emmett, and their daughter, Darcy.
That’s Not How It Happened is available for pre-order on platforms such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, with its official release set for November 4, 2025.