Picture a Kenyan-born storyteller who weaves gothic horror and urban fantasy into tales that pulse with life—meet Vivian Shaw! With her Dr. Greta Helsing series, Shaw has carved a niche in contemporary fiction, blending meticulous supernatural worlds with a wry, compassionate voice. Her stories, set in a monster-filled modern London, feel like a cozy chat with a vampire doctor over tea.
Shaw’s multicultural roots and eclectic passions—art history, edged weapons, and expensive ink—infuse her work with a vibrant, renaissance flair. From her debut novel to her growing fanbase, she’s a rising star who makes the undead feel oh-so-human.
The Making of Vivian Shaw
Born in Kenya, Vivian Shaw spent her early years in the United Kingdom before moving to the United States at age seven. This global upbringing shaped her unique perspective, blending British wit with an outsider’s curiosity. With a BA in art history and an MFA in creative writing and publishing arts, Shaw’s academic path was as varied as her interests, from reactor design to supernatural physiology. Her love for classic horror literature and medical textbooks sparked her writing career, leading to her debut as a fanfiction author under the pseudonym coldhope before she stepped into the spotlight with original works.
Vivian Shaw’s Unforgettable Stories
Shaw’s Dr. Greta Helsing series is her crowning achievement, a trilogy that reimagines the Van Helsing legacy with a twist. In Strange Practice (2017), Dr. Greta Helsing, a human physician to London’s supernatural community, battles a cult of murderous monks while tending to banshees and vampires. The novel’s blend of gothic horror, urban fantasy, and cozy mystery earned it a spot on NPR’s Best Books of 2017. Dreadful Company (2018) takes Greta to Paris, navigating vampire covens and catacombs, while Grave Importance (2019) sees her solving a medical mystery at a mummy spa in Marseille. Shaw’s forthcoming works, Bitter Waters and Strange New World, promise more monster-filled adventures.
Her style is a delightful mix of witty dialogue, meticulous world-building, and heartfelt themes of found family. Shaw peppers her stories with nods to classic vampire literature—think Sir Francis Varney and Lord Ruthven—while grounding the fantastical in medical realism. Her novella The Helios Syndrome (Lethe Press) ventures into sci-fi horror, showcasing her versatility. Critics praise her for crafting characters who feel like old friends, with a humor that dances between droll and dark.
Why Vivian Shaw Matters
Vivian Shaw’s work resonates because it humanizes the monstrous, exploring themes of compassion and community in a world of ghouls and demons. Her series offers a fresh take on urban fantasy, sidestepping gritty tropes for a warmer, more inclusive narrative. Fans adore her quirky characters and gothic charm, while her influence grows through glowing reviews in outlets like Kirkus and the Washington Post, where she also writes book reviews. Shaw’s ability to blend genres and cultures makes her a voice to watch in contemporary horror fiction.
- Born: Kenya, date unavailable
- Key Works: Strange Practice, Dreadful Company, Grave Importance, The Helios Syndrome
- Fun Fact: Shaw makes jewelry and collects vintage cookbooks!
About Vivian Shaw
Snag Strange Practice and dive into Vivian Shaw’s gothic urban fantasy world! Whether you’re a horror buff or a cozy mystery fan, her stories will leave you charmed and a little spooked.