Picture a storyteller who spins gothic tales, mythological magic, and feminist retellings with a brush and a pen—meet Kris Waldherr! This Brooklyn-based author and illustrator has enchanted readers with her unique blend of historical fiction, children’s books, and tarot decks. From her debut novel to her bestselling Goddess Tarot, Waldherr’s work celebrates the divine feminine and the complexities of women’s stories.
With a career rooted in art and a passion for storytelling, Waldherr’s creations are as visually stunning as they are narratively rich. Her matriarchal upbringing fueled her focus on strong female voices, making her a standout in gothic and historical fiction. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore the journey of this multifaceted creative.
The Making of Kris Waldherr
Born and raised in a matriarchal family, Kris Waldherr’s early life was steeped in stories of powerful women. A full scholarship to the School of Visual Arts in New York set her on a path toward illustration, where she fell in love with the Pre-Raphaelites’ romantic, detailed style. This influence shaped her early career as a book illustrator, starting with her first picture book, Rapunzel, for Dial Books. While designing and illustrating, Waldherr rediscovered her love for writing, blending her visual and narrative talents into a signature style.
Her Brooklyn home, a Victorian-era house shared with her husband, anthropologist Thomas Ross Miller, and their daughter, became a creative haven. Waldherr’s fascination with mythology, history, and women’s untold stories grew, leading her to author books and create tarot decks that resonate with readers worldwide.
Kris Waldherr’s Unforgettable Stories
Waldherr’s bibliography is a treasure trove of diverse works, each infused with her lyrical prose and artistic vision. Her debut novel, The Lost History of Dreams (2019), is a gothic masterpiece that follows a post-mortem photographer unraveling a poet’s dark secrets. Praised by Kate Quinn as a “gothic fairy-tale to savor,” it earned a Kirkus starred review and a spot on CrimeReads’ Best Books of 2019.
Unnatural Creatures: A Novel of the Frankenstein Women (2022) reimagines Mary Shelley’s classic from the perspectives of Victor Frankenstein’s mother, bride, and servant. This feminist retelling, lauded as “worthy of comparison to Jean Rhys’s Wide Sargasso Sea,” showcases Waldherr’s knack for giving voice to overlooked women. Her nonfiction work, Doomed Queens, offers a witty, macabre look at royal women’s tragic fates, earning praise from The New Yorker as “utterly satisfying” and “deliciously perverse.” The Book of Goddesses, a One Spirit/Book-of-the-Month Club top ten bestseller, celebrates 100 goddesses with over 130 illustrations, cementing Waldherr’s love for the divine feminine.
Beyond books, Waldherr’s Goddess Tarot, with over 250,000 copies in print, blends mythology and mysticism, empowering users with its feminine-focused symbolism. Her style—rich, atmospheric, and deeply feminist—weaves history, myth, and art into stories that linger long after the last page.
Why Kris Waldherr Matters
Kris Waldherr’s impact lies in her ability to amplify women’s voices, whether through gothic novels, children’s books, or tarot decks. Her feminist retellings challenge traditional narratives, offering fresh perspectives on historical and mythical figures. By founding Muse Publications in 2021, she’s also championed other authors, expanding her influence in the publishing world.
Her work resonates with readers seeking stories that blend beauty, intellect, and empowerment. Waldherr’s art and words inspire creativity, inviting us to explore the strength and complexity of the feminine spirit. Her legacy is one of storytelling that uplifts and transforms.
- Key Works: The Lost History of Dreams, Unnatural Creatures, Doomed Queens, The Book of Goddesses
- Notable Creation: The Goddess Tarot (over 250,000 copies sold)
- Awards: Kirkus starred review, CrimeReads Best Book of 2019, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts fellowships
- Fun Fact: Lives in a Victorian-era Brooklyn house with a vocal Bengal cat
About Kris Waldherr
Snag Unnatural Creatures or The Book of Goddesses and dive into Kris Waldherr’s spellbinding world of gothic mystery and divine feminine magic!