Picture an American storyteller who weaves ghostly tales with a Victorian flair—meet Leanna Renee Hieber! Born in 1970 in rural Ohio, this award-winning author, actress, and playwright has enchanted readers with her Gothic and gaslamp fantasy novels. From her bestselling Strangely Beautiful series to her haunting non-fiction, Hieber’s work blends the supernatural with rich historical settings, earning her a devoted following and multiple Prism Awards.
With a knack for storytelling that spans the page and stage, Hieber’s multifaceted career also includes ghost tours in New York City and roles in shows like Boardwalk Empire. Her passion for the Victorian era and the paranormal makes her a unique voice in speculative fiction, inviting readers to explore worlds where ghosts and magic are as real as the cobblestone streets they haunt.
The Making of Leanna Renee Hieber
Growing up in Ohio, Hieber was spinning ghost stories long before she put pen to paper. Her love for the eerie was nurtured by a childhood filled with imagination, leading her to earn a BFA in Theatre from Miami University with a focus on the Victorian era. A scholarship to study in London further fueled her fascination with 19th-century history. Hieber’s early career with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company saw her adapting classic literature for the stage, a skill that would later shape her lyrical, atmospheric novels.
Her transition to writing began in 2008 with the release of Dark Nest, a space opera novella that won a Prism Award and launched her literary journey. This blend of performance and prose set the stage for Hieber’s signature style: stories that feel like stepping into a candlelit, ghostly world.
Leanna Renee Hieber’s Unforgettable Stories
Hieber’s bibliography is a treasure trove of Gothic and gaslamp fantasy, with series like Strangely Beautiful, Eterna Files, and Spectral City leading the charge. The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker, her debut novel, hit Barnes & Noble’s bestseller lists and won two Prism Awards for its blend of Greek mythology, Victorian romance, and ghostly intrigue. It follows Percy, a young woman with a supernatural gift, as she navigates love and danger at a mystical academy.
The Spectral City series transports readers to 1899 New York, where psychic Eve Whitby and her Ghost Precinct solve crimes with the help of spectral allies. Praised for its evocative atmosphere, the series showcases Hieber’s ability to merge historical accuracy with paranormal thrills. Her non-fiction work, A Haunted History of Invisible Women, co-authored with Andrea Janes, explores women’s ghost stories and was a 2022 Bram Stoker Award finalist, highlighting her commitment to amplifying marginalized voices.
Hieber’s writing is marked by lush prose, strong female protagonists, and themes of empowerment, often set against the backdrop of societal constraints. Her love for the Victorian era shines through in detailed settings, from gaslit London to haunted Manhattan, making her stories a feast for history buffs and fantasy fans alike.
Why Leanna Renee Hieber Matters
Leanna Renee Hieber’s impact lies in her ability to breathe life into the past while championing diverse, resilient characters. Her work has helped define gaslamp fantasy, blending historical fiction with the supernatural in a way that feels both timeless and fresh. By centering women in her stories—whether psychics, ghosts, or scholars—Hieber challenges traditional narratives, offering readers empowering tales of courage and agency.
Beyond her novels, Hieber’s ghost tours and lectures on Gothic fiction have made her a cultural ambassador for the paranormal. Her influence extends to aspiring writers, as she shares resources and speaks at conventions, inspiring the next generation of storytellers. In a world that often overlooks the eerie and the historical, Hieber’s work reminds us that every ghost has a story worth telling.
- Born: 1970, Ohio, USA
- Key Works: Strangely Beautiful, Spectral City, A Haunted History of Invisible Women
- Awards: Four Prism Awards, Bram Stoker Award finalist
- Fun Fact: She’s a licensed NYC ghost tour guide!
Ready to step into a world of Victorian ghosts and gaslit mysteries? Snag The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker and dive into Leanna Renee Hieber’s spellbinding gaslamp fantasy!