Picture a storyteller from the quirky town of Boring, Oregon, spinning tales of obsession and privilege that grip you like a late-night page-turner—meet Madeline Stevens! This fiction writer, with her sharp prose and knack for psychological suspense, burst onto the literary scene with her debut novel Devotion, a story that’s as intoxicating as it is unsettling. Now based in Los Angeles, Stevens doesn’t just craft narratives; she’s also a passionate mentor, shaping the next generation of writers through creative writing programs.
With an MFA from Columbia University and a teaching gig at esteemed programs like Writopia Lab and Catapult, Stevens is a literary force who balances raw storytelling with a commitment to nurturing new voices. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore the life and works of this captivating author!
The Making of Madeline Stevens
Born in Boring, Oregon—a town name that’s anything but reflective of her vibrant stories—Madeline Stevens grew up with a love for literature that led her to earn a Bachelor’s degree in English from Portland State University. Her journey took a pivotal turn when she pursued an MFA at Columbia University, immersing herself in the craft of fiction. Before Devotion, Stevens honed her skills with an unpublished novel, Saint Sebastian, about a teenager navigating a complex maternal relationship—an early sign of her knack for exploring fraught human connections.
Her time as a nanny in Manhattan’s wealthy Upper East Side neighborhoods sparked the inspiration for Devotion. Those long hours observing the stark contrasts of privilege and struggle fueled her storytelling, blending real-world grit with literary finesse. Stevens’s path wasn’t without hurdles; after facing rejections for her first novel, she channeled her embittered perspective into the raw energy of her debut, proving resilience is her superpower.
Madeline Stevens’s Unforgettable Stories
Stevens’s debut, Devotion (Ecco Press, 2019), is a literary suspense novel that dives deep into the toxic dynamics of a nanny-employer relationship. The story follows Ella, a broke 26-year-old, whose obsession with her wealthy employer, Lonnie, spirals into a destructive dance of desire and privilege. Translated into six languages and published in multiple countries, Devotion earned praise for its “sexy, lucid prose” and “psychotically taut” narrative, though some readers found it less climactic than similar works like Social Creature.
Beyond her novel, Stevens’s short stories and essays showcase her versatility, appearing in publications like The Guardian, CrimeReads, and Joyland Magazine. Her writing style—marked by vivid characters, gripping plotlines, and a keen eye for emotional tension—captures the messy beauty of human relationships. Currently, Stevens is working on her second novel, another literary suspense story that promises to push boundaries while staying true to her signature intensity.
Her teaching also shapes her creative output. Through Writopia Lab and Catapult, Stevens leads workshops on creative writing, essay writing, and even graphic novels, infusing her classes with the same passion that drives her prose. Her ability to mentor young writers while crafting her own stories highlights her multifaceted talent.
Why Madeline Stevens Matters
Madeline Stevens is more than a novelist; she’s a voice for those navigating the edges of society’s divides. Her work in Devotion tackles themes of class, femininity, and obsession, offering a lens into the complexities of modern life. By teaching at Writopia Lab and Catapult, she empowers aspiring writers, particularly children and teens, to find their own voices, fostering creativity in communities from Los Angeles to New York.
Stevens’s impact lies in her ability to weave suspense with social commentary, making readers question power dynamics while keeping them hooked. As she continues to write and teach, her influence on literary suspense and creative education grows, cementing her as a writer to watch.
- Birthplace: Boring, Oregon
- Key Work: Devotion (2019)
- Education: MFA from Columbia University, BA from Portland State University
- Notable Programs: Writopia Lab, Catapult
Snag a copy of Devotion and dive into Madeline Stevens’s thrilling world of literary suspense—you won’t be able to put it down!