Picture an Oregon storyteller who weaves magic and mystery into every page—meet Shea Ernshaw! This #1 New York Times bestselling author has enchanted readers worldwide with her atmospheric Young Adult novels, blending fantasy, romance, and spine-chilling suspense. From her haunting debut, The Wicked Deep, to her celebrated Long Live the Pumpkin Queen, Ernshaw’s ethereal narratives capture the beauty and dread of the natural world, making her a standout voice in contemporary literature.
Born and raised in the rugged landscapes of Oregon, Ernshaw’s stories are steeped in the misty forests, stormy coasts, and quiet mountain towns of her home state. Her ability to craft moody, immersive worlds has earned her critical acclaim, including the 2019 Oregon Book Award, and a devoted readership that spans over twenty countries. Ready to dive into her spellbinding tales? Let’s explore the life and legacy of Shea Ernshaw!
The Making of Shea Ernshaw
Growing up in the small town of Bellfountain, Oregon, Shea Ernshaw was surrounded by the wild beauty of the Pacific Northwest. As a child, she sent her first query letters to literary agents at age ten, sparking a lifelong dream of becoming a published author. Though those early submissions met rejection, they fueled her determination to write stories worthy of publication. Ernshaw’s love for dark woods, scary stories, and moonlight on lakes shaped her unique storytelling voice. After years of honing her craft, she burst onto the scene in 2018 with The Wicked Deep, a novel that introduced her signature blend of fantasy and mystery.
Shea Ernshaw’s Unforgettable Stories
Ernshaw’s novels are like stepping into a fog-laden forest—beautiful, eerie, and impossible to leave. Her debut, The Wicked Deep, is a paranormal tale set in the fictional coastal town of Sparrow, Oregon, where the ghosts of three sisters drowned for witchcraft seek revenge each summer. The book’s atmospheric prose and gripping romance earned it a spot on the New York Times bestseller list and the 2019 Oregon Book Award. Winterwood followed, a chilling story of a girl connected to a haunted forest, showcasing Ernshaw’s knack for blending magic with psychological depth.
In 2021, Ernshaw ventured into adult fiction with A History of Wild Places, a psychological thriller about a reclusive commune called Pastoral, praised for its lush prose and unsettling tension. Her 2022 release, Long Live the Pumpkin Queen, a sequel to Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, explored Sally’s journey in a whimsical yet dark fantasy world, earning a “Best Book of 2022” nod from Barnes & Noble. Ernshaw’s upcoming novel, The Beautiful Maddening (June 2025), promises a haunting romantic fantasy about a teen navigating a family curse. Her stories consistently weave themes of love, loss, and the blurred line between reality and enchantment.
Why Shea Ernshaw Matters
Shea Ernshaw’s impact lies in her ability to transport readers to worlds where magic feels real and emotions run deep. Her novels resonate with Young Adult and adult readers alike, offering richly drawn characters and settings that linger long after the final page. By rooting her stories in Oregon’s diverse landscapes—from coastal towns to mountain lakes—she’s put the state’s natural beauty on the literary map. Ernshaw’s global reach, with books translated into over twenty languages, and her awards, like the Oregon Book Award, highlight her influence in contemporary fiction. She inspires aspiring writers to find magic in their surroundings and craft stories that captivate.
- Birthplace: Bellfountain, Oregon
- Key Works: The Wicked Deep (2018), Winterwood (2019), A History of Wild Places (2021), Long Live the Pumpkin Queen (2022)
- Awards: 2019 Oregon Book Award for Young Readers
- Fun Fact: She writes late into the night, inspired by dark woods and scary stories!
Snag The Wicked Deep or Long Live the Pumpkin Queen and dive into Shea Ernshaw’s mesmerizing blend of mystery and magic! Her stories are perfect for cozy nights or thrilling adventures into the unknown.