Picture a storyteller who conjures chilling tales from the misty hills of the southeastern United States—meet Shawn Burgess! This speculative fiction author burst onto the scene with his electrifying debut, The Tear Collector, in 2019, blending horror, mystery, and urban fantasy into stories that grip you like a late-night campfire tale. With a knack for sharp dialogue and heart-pounding pacing, Burgess has carved a niche for himself, captivating readers who crave the supernatural woven into deeply human experiences.
Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Burgess draws inspiration from his travels across the Southeast, where small towns and eerie landscapes fuel his imagination. His stories don’t just scare—they make you feel the humid air, hear the creak of old floorboards, and root for characters facing unthinkable horrors. Let’s dive into the life, works, and growing legacy of this rising star in dark fiction.
The Making of Shawn Burgess
Shawn Burgess’s journey to becoming a horror maestro began in the Southeast, where he soaked up the region’s rich storytelling traditions. With a BA in English from the University of Florida and postgraduate studies in literature at the University of North Florida, Burgess honed his craft while exploring the country. His travels introduced him to quirky characters and haunting locales, many of which sneak into his tales. A self-proclaimed Halloween junkie, he spends his spare time building elaborate spooky sets, a passion that clearly bleeds into his vivid, creepy narratives.
Writing has always been in Burgess’s blood. As a kid, he penned macabre stories, including a horror tale about a maggot-infested house that left his family both impressed and slightly disturbed. Though life’s detours paused his writing for a time, his love for the dark and unusual never faded. In 2019, he took a leap with The Tear Collector, a debut that stunned readers and critics alike, proving he was ready to haunt the literary world.
Shawn Burgess’s Unforgettable Stories
Burgess’s bibliography is a thrilling mix of horror, thriller, and urban fantasy, with each work showcasing his ability to balance the real and the surreal. His debut, The Tear Collector (2019), is a paranormal thriller set in the small Appalachian town of Harper Pass. When an autistic girl goes missing, a group of young boys and a determined detective uncover a sinister force tied to the town’s past. Readers praise its Stranger Things-like vibe, with vivid prose and relentless suspense that keeps you up past bedtime.
The sequel, Ghosts of Grief Hollow (2022), dives deeper into Harper Pass’s dark secrets, delivering what one reviewer called “an unflinching fairytale of the grimmest sort.” Burgess also released Sour Roots, a novella prequel that sets the stage for his chilling universe. His standalone urban fantasy, Deity, explores a mother and son grappling with bizarre phenomena in East Tennessee, showcasing his versatility. Burgess’s style—sharp dialogue, sensory-rich settings, and relatable characters—makes his worlds feel alive, whether you’re dodging bullies or ancient evils.
Critics compare Burgess to Stephen King for his ability to craft coming-of-age tales laced with terror, but his voice is distinctly his own. His Southeast-inspired settings ground the supernatural, making the impossible feel unnervingly plausible. Whether it’s the claustrophobic woods of Grief Hollow or the inherited house in Deity, his stories linger like a ghost in the corner of your mind.
Why Shawn Burgess Matters
In just a few years, Shawn Burgess has become a beacon for horror and speculative fiction fans, proving indie authors can rival the genre’s giants. His ability to blend nostalgia, mystery, and raw fear resonates with readers who grew up on Stand By Me or IT, yet his stories feel fresh and modern. By setting his tales in the often-overlooked Southeast, he shines a spotlight on the region’s haunting beauty and untapped storytelling potential.
Burgess’s growing fanbase, active on social media, eagerly awaits his next release, drawn to his infectious passion for horror and his knack for connecting with readers. As he continues to expand the Grief Hollow universe and explore new genres, his influence is only set to grow, inspiring a new generation of writers to embrace the dark and unusual.
- Key Works: The Tear Collector, Ghosts of Grief Hollow, Sour Roots, Deity
- Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
- Fun Fact: He’s a Halloween fanatic who builds elaborate spooky sets year-round!
Ready for a spine-chilling adventure? Snag The Tear Collector and dive into Shawn Burgess’s haunting world of horror and heart!