Picture a resilient storyteller who turned personal trials and a haunting island into a gripping historical thriller—meet Shelley Nolden! A cancer survivor, advocate for women’s rights, and co-founder of GRYT Health, Nolden channels her indomitable spirit into her debut novel, The Vines, a tale that weaves survival, mystery, and the eerie history of New York’s North Brother Island.
From her Midwestern roots to her Wall Street days, Nolden’s journey is as captivating as her fiction. Her unique blend of meticulous research and evocative prose invites readers into worlds where history and human resilience collide, making her a rising star in historical fiction.
The Making of Shelley Nolden
Born and raised in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area, Shelley Nolden grew up with a love for storytelling, nurtured by her mother’s encouragement. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, where she excelled as a swimmer and rower, Nolden moved to New York City to work in finance. Her life took a dramatic turn in 2011 when she was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia, losing her baby at 19 weeks and enduring intense isolation during treatment. This harrowing experience fueled her passion for helping others, leading her to co-found GRYT Health, a platform dedicated to improving the lives of cancer patients.
Nolden’s discovery of North Brother Island, sparked by a glimpse from an airplane window in 2014, ignited her writing career. The island’s dark history as a quarantine site for diseases like typhoid and tuberculosis inspired her to craft a story that would honor its past while exploring themes of survival and resilience.
Shelley Nolden’s Unforgettable Stories
Shelley Nolden’s debut novel, The Vines, released in March 2021, is a historical fiction thriller that intertwines the chilling history of North Brother Island with a tale of love, betrayal, and survival. The story follows Cora, a woman imprisoned by contagions and unethical doctors, whose remarkable immunity makes her a target for experimentation. When Finn, a young urban explorer, encounters her, he becomes obsessed with uncovering her past and his family’s dark secrets. Nolden’s meticulous research brings the island’s ruins to life, blending historical events like the General Slocum disaster with a suspenseful narrative.
Nolden’s writing style is reflective and immersive, shifting seamlessly between past and present to create a vivid sense of place. Her themes of resilience, medical ethics, and the human cost of scientific ambition resonate deeply, reflecting her own experiences as a cancer survivor. Readers praise The Vines for its eerie atmosphere and compelling characters, with many eagerly awaiting its sequel, which Nolden is currently writing. The novel’s accolades, including the 2021 International Book Awards Cross Genre category win, highlight its impact in the literary world.
While The Vines remains Nolden’s primary work, her contributions to cancer-related publications and her cancer blog during treatment showcase her versatility as a writer. Her ability to transform personal adversity into art sets her apart as a storyteller with a unique voice.
Why Shelley Nolden Matters
Shelley Nolden’s work transcends traditional historical fiction, offering readers a lens into the ethical dilemmas of medical history and the strength of the human spirit. Her advocacy through GRYT Health and her role as an advisor to Goal Five, a women’s sports apparel company championing gender equality, amplify her influence beyond the page. Nolden’s story inspires readers to find hope in adversity, making her a powerful voice in both literature and social good.
Her focus on North Brother Island has also sparked renewed interest in this forgotten piece of New York history, encouraging readers to explore its haunting legacy. As Nolden continues to write, her blend of historical intrigue and personal resilience promises to captivate audiences for years to come.
- Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin area
- Key Work: The Vines (2021)
- Awards: 2021 International Book Awards Cross Genre Winner, 2021 National Indie Excellence Awards Cross Genre and Medical Thriller Winner
- Fun Fact: Nolden swims to combat writer’s block, finding inspiration in the rhythm of the water.
Snag The Vines and dive into Shelley Nolden’s thrilling world of history, mystery, and unbreakable spirit!