Picture a Midwest storyteller who spun tales of daring women and historical intrigue—meet Greer Macallister! With her knack for blending fact and fiction, she’s carved a niche in historical fiction, captivating readers with novels like the USA Today bestseller The Magician’s Lie. Her stories, rich with strong female leads and vivid settings, pull you into worlds where courage and mystery collide.
Born and raised in the heart of America, Macallister’s journey from poet to celebrated novelist is as compelling as her books. Whether you’re a history buff or a fiction fan, her work offers a thrilling ride through the past with a modern feminist twist.
The Making of Greer Macallister
Raised in the Midwest, Greer Macallister grew up in Michigan and Iowa, where her love for storytelling took root. She honed her craft at American University, earning an MFA in creative writing. Before novels, she dabbled in poetry, short stories, and playwriting, with works appearing in publications like The North American Review. Her Midwestern roots infuse her stories with a grounded, authentic feel, while her academic training sharpened her ability to weave intricate narratives.
Macallister’s leap into fiction came from a desire to spotlight unsung women of history. Inspired by figures like Kate Warne, America’s first female detective, she found her calling in historical fiction, where she could breathe life into forgotten stories with a poet’s touch and a playwright’s flair for drama.
Greer Macallister’s Unforgettable Stories
Macallister’s debut, The Magician’s Lie (2015), set the stage with its tale of a female illusionist accused of murder, blending mystery and magic in a way that earned it a spot as a Target Book Club pick. Her follow-up, Girl in Disguise (2017), brought Kate Warne to life, showcasing a widow-turned-detective navigating the Civil War era with grit and guile. Publishers Weekly called it “a well-told, superb story,” and it became an Indie Next pick.
Woman 99 (2019) dives into the chilling world of Gilded Age asylums, following a woman who infiltrates one to save her sister, exposing the era’s treatment of “inconvenient” women. The Arctic Fury (2020) takes readers to the 1850s Arctic, spinning a tale of an all-female expedition and a murder trial, earning praise as an Amazon Best Book of the Month. Under the pen name G.R. Macallister, she also pens the epic fantasy series Five Queendoms, starting with Scorpica (2022), a matriarchal saga lauded by Paste Magazine.
Her style is immersive, with meticulous historical detail and a focus on bold, complex women who defy their times. Whether it’s the icy Arctic or a Chicago detective agency, Macallister’s settings are as vivid as her characters, making each book a masterclass in storytelling.
Why Greer Macallister Matters
Greer Macallister’s work does more than entertain—it reclaims the stories of women history overlooked. By spotlighting figures like Kate Warne and Nellie Bly, she challenges readers to rethink the past through a feminist lens. Her novels, optioned for film and TV, have resonated with audiences, earning spots on Indie Next and LibraryReads lists. Her fantasy series expands her reach, proving her versatility and cementing her as a voice for strong, multifaceted women.
Beyond her books, Macallister inspires aspiring writers through contributions to Writer Unboxed and the Chicago Review of Books, sharing advice like “don’t go it alone.” Her impact lies in her ability to make history feel urgent and personal, inviting readers to see themselves in her fearless heroines.
- Birthplace: Michigan, raised in Iowa
- Key Works: The Magician’s Lie, Girl in Disguise, Woman 99, The Arctic Fury, Five Queendoms series
- Notable Achievements: USA Today bestseller, Indie Next picks, film/TV options
Ready for a literary adventure? Snag Girl in Disguise and dive into Greer Macallister’s thrilling world of historical fiction!