Picture an American storyteller who fused gritty crime noir with wild sci-fi adventures, crafting a dystopian future that’s as thrilling as it is chaotic—meet Kieran Shea! Known for his EBK series, Shea’s tales of Koko Martstellar, a sharp-witted ex-mercenary turned brothel owner, have captivated readers with their anarchic energy and vivid world-building. From his early days scribbling crime stories to becoming a standout voice in speculative fiction, Shea’s journey is a testament to the power of bold, unapologetic storytelling.
The Making of Kieran Shea
Born in 1965, Kieran Shea grew up in a world where comics and sci-fi were dismissed as frivolous, yet he couldn’t resist a good story. As a kid in New Jersey, he penned tales for fun, but it wasn’t until adulthood that he turned his passion into a career. Initially drawn to crime fiction, Shea cut his teeth writing short stories for gritty outlets like Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and Thuglit, earning two nominations for the Story South Million Writers Award. His love for authors like Charles Willeford and James Crumley shaped his sharp, irreverent style, but a fateful writing competition pushed him into the sci-fi realm, where he found his true calling.
Kieran Shea’s Unforgettable Stories
Shea’s breakout came with the EBK series, starting with Koko Takes a Holiday (2014). Set 500 years in the future, it follows Koko Martstellar, a fierce, cocktail-mixing mercenary running a brothel in the Sixty Islands, a cyberpunk archipelago. The novel’s zany black humor, corporate greed takedowns, and high-octane action earned praise for its “vigorous anarchic pulse.” Its sequels, Koko the Mighty (2015) and Koko Uncaged (2018), ramp up the stakes, blending relentless pacing with sharp character development. Shea’s standalone novel, Off Rock (2017), trades islands for an asteroid mining heist, delivering pulpy fun with a satirical bite. His short-story collection, The Americana Psychorama, showcases his versatility, mixing genres and dark humor across tales of con men and survivors. Shea’s style—fast-paced, irreverent, and packed with cultural realism—draws comparisons to Mad Max and classic pulp fiction, making every page a wild ride.
Why Kieran Shea Matters
Kieran Shea’s impact lies in his fearless fusion of genres, blending noir’s grit with sci-fi’s boundless imagination. His EBK series redefined cyberpunk heroines through Koko, a character as loyal as she is deadly, resonating with readers who crave complex, unapologetic protagonists. By tackling themes like extremism and corporate overreach with humor and heart, Shea challenges the status quo, proving speculative fiction can be both entertaining and provocative. His work, though niche, has carved a loyal following, inspiring writers to embrace bold, genre-bending narratives. Living between Annapolis, Maryland, and Ocean City, New Jersey, Shea continues to craft stories that push boundaries and spark imagination.
- Born: 1965
- Key Works: Koko Takes a Holiday, Koko the Mighty, Koko Uncaged, Off Rock
- Awards: Two-time nominee for Story South Million Writers Award
Ready to dive into a future where mercenaries mix cocktails and dodge assassins? Snag Koko Takes a Holiday and buckle up for Kieran Shea’s wild, noir-infused sci-fi adventure!