Picture a Scottish storyteller who tossed dinosaurs and dystopian drama into a blender and created a thrilling young adult saga—meet S.M. Wilson! As the mastermind behind The Extinction Trials series, Wilson has captivated readers with her unique vision of a world where survival means facing monstrous reptiles and even trickier humans. Her stories pulse with action, heart, and big questions about humanity’s place in the world, earning her a devoted following among YA fans.
With a knack for blending the high-stakes thrills of Jurassic Park with the gritty survivalism of The Hunger Games, Wilson’s work is a rollercoaster of betrayal, sacrifice, and hope. But who is the woman behind these page-turners, and how did she carve her niche in the YA sci-fi scene? Let’s dive into her story.
The Making of S.M. Wilson
Susan Wilson, better known as S.M. Wilson, hails from the rugged west coast of Scotland, where she lives with her fiancé and two sons. By day, she’s a dedicated nurse in public health, a career she’s pursued for over 25 years in the NHS. But her heart has always belonged to storytelling. A lifelong lover of YA fiction since her teenage years, Wilson penned The Extinction Trials to spark that same passion in her sons, hoping her tales of adventure and survival would be contagious. Before diving into YA, she wrote over 30 romance novels under the pen name Scarlet Wilson, earning accolades like a 2017 RoNA Rose award and double RITA finalist nods. This romantic foundation adds a layer of emotional depth to her action-packed YA narratives.
S.M. Wilson’s Unforgettable Stories
Wilson’s flagship work, The Extinction Trials trilogy, is a heart-pounding series that kicked off in 2018 with its titular first book. Set in a dystopian world ravaged by overpopulation and resource scarcity, it follows Stormchaser and Lincoln as they compete in deadly trials to steal dinosaur eggs from the treacherous continent of Piloria. The sequels, Exile (2018) and Rebel (2019), up the ante with new dangers, a virus to wipe out dinosaurs, and rebellion against a corrupt system. Readers praise the series for its cinematic pacing, vivid world-building, and ethical dilemmas—like whether humans have the right to eradicate another species to survive.
Beyond the trilogy, Wilson ventured into sci-fi with The Infinity Files series, starting in 2021. This space odyssey follows Ash, a fierce heroine tasked with guarding a cosmic library at the universe’s edge. Inspired by Wilson’s love of Star Wars and Star Trek, it swaps dinosaurs for interstellar adventure while keeping her signature blend of action and found-family themes. Her writing style is fast-paced yet thoughtful, weaving moral complexity into plots that keep you glued to the page. Whether it’s dinosaurs or distant galaxies, Wilson’s worlds feel alive, urgent, and impossible to put down.
Why S.M. Wilson Matters
S.M. Wilson’s impact lies in her ability to make YA sci-fi both thrilling and thought-provoking. Her stories tackle real-world issues like overpopulation, environmental collapse, and ethical survival, resonating with teens and adults alike. Shortlisted for the 2019 Scottish Teenage Book Prize, The Extinction Trials has been hailed as a must-read for reluctant readers, with its relentless action and relatable characters. Wilson’s nursing background infuses her work with a deep empathy for human struggles, while her romance roots give her characters emotional heft. She’s not just writing adventures—she’s sparking conversations about humanity’s future.
Her influence extends beyond bookshelves. By crafting strong female leads like Stormchaser and Ash, Wilson inspires young readers, especially girls, to embrace courage and question authority. Her stories are a call to think critically about the world, wrapped in a package of dinosaurs and spaceships that’s hard to resist.
- Pen Name: S.M. Wilson (also writes as Scarlet Wilson)
- Key Works: The Extinction Trials trilogy, The Infinity Files series
- Awards: 2017 RoNA Rose winner, double RITA finalist
- Hometown: West coast of Scotland
Snag The Extinction Trials and dive into S.M. Wilson’s thrilling YA universe! Whether you’re dodging T-Rexes or exploring cosmic libraries, her stories promise an adventure you won’t forget.