Picture a storyteller who spun gothic tales from a haunted farm in North Carolina—meet Megan Shepherd! A New York Times bestselling author, Shepherd crafts young adult novels that blend historical fiction, gothic horror, and pulse-pounding suspense. Her debut, The Madman’s Daughter, captivated readers with its dark reimagining of H.G. Wells’ classic, setting the stage for a career that’s as thrilling as her stories.
Born into a world of books, Shepherd’s unique journey—from a family bookstore to international adventures—shapes her atmospheric tales. With a knack for complex characters and moral dilemmas, she’s become a beloved voice in young adult literature, inviting readers to explore the shadowy corners of identity and humanity.
The Making of Megan Shepherd
Megan Shepherd grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, surrounded by stories in her family’s independent bookstore, Highland Books, in Brevard, North Carolina. This literary haven sparked her imagination, though she initially dreamed of exploring cultures and traveling the world, not writing novels. A transformative trip to Costa Rica at sixteen, where she encountered the raw beauty of nature, planted the seeds for her debut novel. After studying abroad in places like London and Timbuktu, Shepherd settled on a 125-year-old farm near Asheville, where she lives with her husband, children, cats, chickens, and a scruffy dog—perfect muses for her eerie tales.
Megan Shepherd’s Unforgettable Stories
Shepherd’s debut, The Madman’s Daughter (2013), is a gothic thriller inspired by H.G. Wells’ The Island of Dr. Moreau. It follows Juliet Moreau, a sixteen-year-old uncovering her father’s gruesome animal experiments on a remote island. The novel’s lush prose, breakneck pacing, and exploration of morality earned it the 2013 North Carolina Young Adult Book Award and a film option by Paramount Pictures. Its sequels, Her Dark Curiosity (2014) and A Cold Legacy (2015), draw from Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Frankenstein, weaving a trilogy that’s as haunting as it is thought-provoking.
Beyond the Madman’s Daughter trilogy, Shepherd’s The Cage series (2015–2017) blends sci-fi and romance, following teens abducted by an alien race. Her fantasy novel Grim Lovelies (2018) enchants with its magical Parisian setting, while Malice House (2022), her adult debut, dives into horror with a cursed manuscript. Shepherd’s style—vivid, atmospheric, and morally complex—tackles themes of identity, humanity, and the consequences of ambition, making her stories resonate with readers of all ages.
Why Megan Shepherd Matters
Megan Shepherd’s impact lies in her ability to reimagine classic tales through a modern, female lens. By giving voice to characters like Juliet Moreau, she transforms male-centric stories into feminist narratives, empowering young readers to question authority and explore their own identities. Her work, praised for its gritty suspense and emotional depth, has inspired a new wave of gothic and historical fiction in young adult literature. Awards like the Carnegie Medal nomination for The Secret Horses of Briar Hill (2016) and her books’ presence on Indie Next Lists highlight her growing influence.
Shepherd’s stories also bridge generations, appealing to teens and adults alike with their universal themes. Her dedication to craft, honed in her bookstore days, continues to inspire aspiring writers to focus on storytelling over fame. On her haunted farm, she’s penning new tales that promise to captivate readers for years to come.
- Birthplace: Brevard, North Carolina
- Key Works: The Madman’s Daughter, The Cage, Grim Lovelies, Malice House
- Awards: 2013 North Carolina Young Adult Book Award, Carnegie Medal nominee
- Fun Fact: Lives on a 125-year-old farm with bees and chickens!
About Megan Shepherd
Snag The Madman’s Daughter and dive into Megan Shepherd’s gothic world of suspense and secrets!